Fort Worth's Shocking $10M Film Fund Sparks Real Estate Boom—Is Your Home Next?

by Bob Francis, Fort Worth Report
February 1, 2026

As Fort Worth's film industry continues to expand, there's a growing need for more than just **soundstages**. The demand for **office space** has emerged as a crucial component in supporting this burgeoning sector. Pintoo Shah, involved with **SGS Holdings**, highlighted this necessity during a recent **2026 Real Estate Forecast** event.

Shah, who has a background in real estate for **NBCUniversal**, revealed that every production requires approximately **20,000 to 30,000 square feet** of office space. This need is driven by ongoing projects in the area, such as **"Landman,"** produced by **Taylor Sheridan**, a notable figure in the industry. The partnership behind SGS Holdings, which includes **David Glasser** and **Dan Schryer**, has already launched a **450,000-square-foot** film studio campus at **AllianceTexas**, collaborated with **Hillwood** and **Paramount**.

Shah emphasized that the film industry is willing to pay a premium for office space but differs from typical office tenants. “Just tell me what my monthly rent number is,” he stated, reflecting the industry’s preference for straightforward, short-term leases. “If it’s like $100,000 a month? ‘Here you go. Leave me alone. We’ve gotta produce content.’” This highlights a significant opportunity for local real estate owners who can offer flexible leasing options for shorter durations.

For owners of **Class B** and **Class C** office spaces, tapping into the film business may present a lifeline, Shah suggested. “We need space for a few months, and we’ll pay a premium,” he said, encouraging landlords to consider how they can better serve these short-term productions.

However, the need for office space is only one facet of the real estate requirements for the local film industry. Shah recounted a recent experience, where a production needed **50,000 square feet** of warehouse space with just a few days' notice. “I called my friend, and we got the paper and we’re done. It’s like a six-month lease,” he said, underscoring the urgency and flexibility demanded by the industry.

The **Fort Worth Film Commission** has been instrumental in cultivating these relationships, dating back to 2021 when Sheridan sought to film an equestrian scene for **"Yellowstone."** Since then, the city has hosted various productions, including the spinoff **"1883,"** and series such as **"Lawmen: Bass Reeves,"** **"Lioness,"** and multiple seasons of **"Landman."** New projects, including **"The Madison"** and **"The Dutton Ranch,"** have further solidified Fort Worth's position as a key filming location.

Renewed Strength in Office Leasing

As the film industry competes for office space, traditional businesses are also returning to in-person work. Todd Burnette, executive director for **JLL** in Fort Worth, noted that the office real estate sector faced hardships during the **COVID-19 pandemic** but has started showing signs of recovery. “Nationally, leasing grew quarter-over-quarter in 2025,” he reported, marking the first growth since 2019.

While Fort Worth reported a total negative absorption of **266,000 square feet**, which indicates that vacated space exceeded newly leased space, Burnette clarified that one non-renewed lease of **450,000 square feet** significantly impacted these numbers. If that lease were excluded, Fort Worth would have seen positive absorption for the first time since 2019. The **Class A** office market in Fort Worth ended the year with **250,048 square feet** of net absorption, while downtown’s vacancy rate remained steady at **13%**, making it one of the strongest urban markets in the U.S.

Development continues to thrive in the area, with several high-end office buildings under construction just west of the central business district. **Crescent Real Estate** is erecting a **170,000-square-foot** trophy-class office building along **West 7th Street**, set to open in mid-2027. Nearby, **Goldenrod Cos.** has started on the **100,000-square-foot** **Van Zandt mixed-use building**, which will offer speculative office space, although no tenants have yet been announced.

Further developments include an **80,000-square-foot** trophy-class building at **Clearfork**, where **Wells Fargo Bank** will relocate from downtown’s **City Center Tower**. Other projects are in the planning stages, with the **Keystone Group** and **Larkspur Capital** proposing a **37-acre mixed-use** project that will incorporate about **100,000 square feet** of office space.

Shifts in the Industrial Landscape

In addition to the office space needs, the **Dallas-Fort Worth area** has solidified its status as the No. 2 industrial market in the country, with the most projects currently under development. **Sam Rhea**, vice president of industrial leasing at **Hillwood**, noted a shift in the industrial market towards more manufacturing inquiries. “We went from **75% to 85%** of inquiries being logistics and e-commerce to manufacturing, production, and assembly,” he explained.

Hillwood currently has **2.3 million square feet** under construction and plans to break ground on another **2 million square feet** by the end of February, indicating a robust industrial growth phase for the region.

As Fort Worth positions itself as a favorable locale for both the film and industrial sectors, the convergence of these industries may ultimately reshape its real estate landscape, presenting opportunities for investors and developers alike. With the right strategies, Fort Worth can continue to thrive as a hub for creativity and manufacturing.