A Memphis-based multimedia company plans an 85-acre film studio lot in Whitehaven, complete with sound stages, commissary, editing facilities, recording studio, a warehouse for building sets, and a hotel for out-of-town production crews.

Jason Farmer of BLP Film Studios filed an application with the Land Use Control Board for a planned development on property near the southwest corner of Elvis Presley Boulevard and Holmes Road.

“BLP is a Memphis based, award-winning multimedia company formed in response to emerging trends in the audio and visual arts sector,” the letter of intent states.

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The plan includes construction of “sound stages for film/TV media platforms, a commissary, editing suites for post-production work; a recording studio for sound tracks and project music scores; an executive office building; a mill shop warehouse for building sets and storage; a hotel to house out of town production crews; a security building operating 24 hours to monitor campus grounds; a gift shop; private housing for production companies staff teams; and a multi-purpose event center to host special occasions associated with conclusion and launch of lot-created productions,” states the letter, written by Memphis attorney Dedrick Brittenum.

The development will be the first of its kind in the Memphis area.

“The concept will meet the unprecedented demand for content by having final productions created on the BLP campus including commercials, full length films, episodic series and videos,” the letter states.

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The application seeks approval for a movie production facility on the property.

The 85 acres are part of a larger planned development approved in 1993 for residential uses.

The site stretches from near Holmes on the north, to Scaife Road on the south, the Canadian National Railroad on the west and Elvis Presley on the east, including a Walmart.

The filmmaking development would be oriented toward the east, with access at the west end of Mary Jane Avenue, near Elvis Presley, the letter states.

Existing heavy vegetation would be preserved to buffer the filmmaking activities from houses and school near the northwest corner of the site. 

“Considering the compelling need for additional commercial/office activity providing good paying jobs using Memphis talent, the campus will be a big boost to the Whitehaven and Memphis community,” the letter of intent states.

“Upon completion, the BLP multimedia facility will be one of the most advanced state of the art facilities anywhere in the world, rivaling Hollywood, Atlanta and London,” the letter states.

Among the design professionals working on the project are HBG architects, the Reaves Firm engineers, and development consultant Montgomery Martin, and NuDev development consultant.