International Development Management President Christopher Milam pitched an idea to build an estimated $100-million studio to the Bee Cave Planning and Zoning Commission at its Oct. 1 meeting.

Milam addressed commissioners regarding the proposal to construct Supernature Studios on property formerly owned by local filmmaker Robert Rodriguez at 13500 Bee Cave Parkway. He said his company purchased the site from Rodriguez, who had originally planned to build his Troublemaker Studios on the tract but changed his mind in favor of the Mueller development.

Milam cited proximity to Austin, state tax incentives, highly-rated local crews and good quality of life as reasons for locating the studio center in Bee Cave. The state-of-the-art studios would offer about 200 to 400 professional jobs per stage, he said.

The front of the proposed site would span 3,000 feet, Milam said. A 6- to 7-foot tall stone wall is proposed to isolate vibration from the roadway and landscaping would add privacy, he said. The back portion of the tract borders Balcones Canyonland Preserve which would add to the private nature of the property, he said.

According to filed documents, Supernature Studios specifics include:

• Six buildings with 95,000 square feet of motion picture and network television sound stages.
• Five entrances to the site with two manned gates.
• 750,000 square feet total build out, with 576,680 square feet of Class A office space.
• 55 percent impervious cover restriction.
• 20,000-square-foot onsite mill with woodworking, steel production for stage builds

Milam said two office buildings would be located on the property and, most likely, would be occupied by area residents at first, slowly transitioning to creative offices. Wardrobe, makeup and administration would be stationed in an office building attached to each sound stage, he said. A native movie set would be constructed across the street from the main studios, he said.

Milam said he anticipates using Bee Cave streets for some film or television shoots if the city grants the appropriate licenses. He said the total cost for the studio project is more than $100 million and could be completed within 18 months.

Currently, there is no zoning in Bee Cave applicable for motion picture and television studios, Bee Cave councilwoman Zelda Auslander said.