50 Cent is converting a vacant warehouse into two film and TV soundstages in Houston, Texas, after launching the second-largest black-owned film studio in Shreveport, Louisiana.
It was revealed on Sunday (April 28) that the entertainer acquired the Midwest-area property with Houston area developer Al Kashani, vice president of Horizon International. The plan is to transform it into two soundstages and an educational facility for local film students.
Construction will start in six months and is expected to be completed within a year. The development includes two soundstages measuring 8,500 and 7,800 square feet and design and home-related retail. The renovation is expected to cost between $3 million and $4 million.
When asked about the purchase, Kashani said: “We brought it. And we are going to re-purpose that. It is a huge facility, so in the front, we are going to do a home improvement mall, which is going to be furniture, technology, everything that goes for a home. In the back, we have a 125,000-square-foot warehouse with 35-foot-tall ceilings. So it’s a perfect fit to put in soundstages.”
Texas has increased its state funding for film/TV incentives from $45 million to $200 million, making it more competitive with other states. 400 Texans work in the film/TV industry in Atlanta. Kashani wants to keep Texas dollars and jobs in Texas, believing it will have a net positive effect.
“My goal is to keep Texas dollars in Texas and Texas jobs in Texas,” said Kashani. “People don’t realize that when you are watching a show, not all the money goes to the actors but hotels, car rental. It’s going to be a net positive.”
50 Cent moved to Houston in May 2021 to launch a film studio. He hosts Tycoon Fest, an annual weekend music and comedy festival with a celebrity basketball game. Previous festival headliners include Flo-Rida, Jeremih, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and Fabolous.
50 was awarded the key to the city of Houston and his own day on November 24, 2022, by the Mayor and City Council.