Never underestimate the vision of powerful people. A heady group, including Joseph DiLorenzo, former CFO of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, David Kirkpatrick, a former president of Paramount Pictures, and Earl Lestz, another former Paramount executive, is working to create a second ‘Hollywood’ right up the road from us in Plymouth.
Plymouth Rock Studios LLC would include: a $488 million film and television studio, complete with 14 sound stages, a 10-acre back lot, a theater, a 300-room upscale hotel, a spa and 500,000 square feet of office space. Sixty percent of the real estate has been pre-leased.
The entire program is still in the fund-gathering stage - something that could be delayed because of the economy. However, I’m not sure the film industry has been affected yet - as I watch new movies consistently open to blockbuster ticket sales.
Town residents are, of course, conflicted about this new venture. While many fear the loss of their special town and historic landmark, others are thrilled about the jobs and millions of dollars that will be created and spent.
Interesting…I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how this saga ends up…
