Assembly Atlanta Studios in Doraville: A Local Guide for Atlanta Film and Production

Assembly Atlanta Studios in Doraville is one of the newest large-scale film and television production hubs in the metro area, and it is already helping shape Atlanta’s role as a major production center. If you live in Atlanta, work in the industry, or are just curious about what’s going on at this site, it helps to understand what Assembly is, where it is, and how it fits into the broader Atlanta production ecosystem.

What Is Assembly Atlanta Studios?

Assembly Atlanta Studios is a large, purpose-built film and television production campus in Doraville, just northeast of central Atlanta. It sits on the redeveloped site of the former General Motors plant and is designed as a mixed-use film village with:

• Soundstages and production spaces
• Support buildings and workshops
• Office and post-production areas
• On-site backlots and exterior filming environments
• Retail, dining, and other mixed-use components as the area continues to build out

For people in the Atlanta area, Assembly represents:

• A major expansion of studio-stage capacity
• A new employment hub for film crews and creative professionals
• Another anchor in Atlanta’s growing “Hollywood of the South” identity

Where Is Assembly Atlanta Studios Located?

Assembly Atlanta Studios is located in Doraville, in northern DeKalb County, inside the I-285 perimeter but right at the edge:

• General area: Off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and I-285, on the former GM plant property
• Nearby landmarks: Doraville MARTA Station, Buford Highway corridor, and Peachtree Industrial/Chamblee area

Because specific entrances, stage addresses, and access points can vary by production and tenant, most visitors and vendors coordinate directly with production offices before arrival.

If you are planning to work or meet someone there:

• Ask for the exact building number or gate you’ll be using
• Confirm parking and check-in instructions ahead of time
• Allow extra time if it’s your first time on the property, as it can feel like a small campus

How Assembly Atlanta Fits Into Atlanta’s Film Scene

Atlanta already had several major studio hubs before Assembly, and this new complex adds to a cluster of professional facilities across the metro. From a local perspective, Assembly matters because it:

• Expands capacity for high-end film and TV production in the city
• Creates more work opportunities for union and non-union crew
• Draws additional vendors, service companies, and small businesses to the Doraville area
• Helps push more infrastructure investment into north DeKalb and the northeast corridor

For Atlanta-based talent and crew, Assembly is another major employer alongside other well-known studio campuses around the region.

Who Uses Assembly Atlanta Studios?

Assembly is built for professional productions, not as a public attraction. Typical users include:

• Major film and scripted television productions
• Streaming platform originals
• Commercial and branded content shoots that need large, controlled environments
• Production companies that lease office space, soundstages, or backlots

If you live nearby, you may notice:

• Increased truck traffic and equipment movement
• Occasional street closures or detours around exterior shoots
• Local businesses adjusting their hours or offerings to support crews

Most day-to-day activity is closed to the general public due to security and confidentiality requirements.

Is Assembly Atlanta Open to the Public?

In general, no. Assembly Atlanta Studios functions like a professional industrial campus:

• Access is typically restricted to:
  • Cast and crew
  • Approved vendors and contractors
  • Guests who are pre-cleared and on approved lists
• You may be required to:
  • Show government-issued ID
  • Check in with security
  • Wear visitor or crew badges

If you are hoping to visit or tour:

• Public tours are not a standard offering
• Occasionally, industry events, job fairs, or community meetings may be hosted in or near the complex, but these are typically pre-registered events, not general walk-ins

For locals, it’s helpful to think of Assembly as you would a large office or industrial park that happens to be dedicated to film production.

Getting to Assembly Atlanta Studios from Around Atlanta

Doraville is relatively easy to reach from many parts of metro Atlanta. Your best route depends on whether you are driving or using transit.

By Car

Common approaches include:

• From Midtown/Downtown Atlanta
  • Take I-85 North → connect to I-285 East → exit near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard/Doraville
• From Buckhead/Chamblee
  • Use local routes like Peachtree Road, Chamblee-Tucker Road, or Peachtree Industrial Boulevard heading northeast
• From Decatur/East Atlanta
  • Take I-285 North around the east side → exit near Doraville and follow local signs

Parking arrangements vary by production and building, so employees and vendors typically receive specific parking instructions (e.g., designated lots or shuttle systems).

By MARTA

Doraville is served by MARTA rail and bus, which can be a practical option for some:

• Doraville Station is the end of the Gold Line (northbound from Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead)
• From the station, access to the Assembly site may involve:
  • A short rideshare or taxi
  • Production-arranged shuttles, where available
  • Company or crew carpools

Because campus entry is controlled, you would usually arrange pickup and drop-off points with your production or employer in advance.

Types of Services and Facilities Typically Found at Assembly

While exact tenants can change, large studio campuses in Atlanta, including Assembly, commonly support:

1. Soundstages and Filming Spaces

• Enclosed, soundproofed stages for controlled interior shoots
• Flex stages that can support:
  • Set construction
  • Lighting rigs
  • Special effects and green screen work

2. Backlots and Exterior Sets

• Streetscapes or outdoor areas designed for filming
• Flexible outdoor spaces that can be dressed as city streets, small towns, or generic urban settings

3. Production Support and Offices

• Production offices for showrunners, producers, and production staff
• Conference rooms and war rooms for planning
• Casting rooms and fitting spaces

4. Workshops and Storage

• Set construction shops
• Prop and wardrobe storage
• Electrical, grip, and camera storage or vendor bays

5. On-Site Amenities

On large campuses, you may see:

• Cafeterias or catering spaces
• Common areas or lounges for crew
• Fitness or wellness spaces, depending on how the complex is built out over time

Not every amenity is available to every production, so individuals typically rely on guidelines from their own show or employer.

Working at Assembly Atlanta Studios: What Atlanta Locals Should Know

For Atlanta residents working in or aiming to work in film, Assembly can be a major worksite. A few practical points:

Hiring and Jobs

Most jobs at Assembly are filled by:

• Production companies that lease space
• Unions and guilds (for certain positions such as:
  • IATSE crew roles
  • Teamsters for drivers
  • SAG-AFTRA actors)
• Third-party vendors, caterers, and service providers

If you are looking for work:

• You usually apply to the production or company, not “to the studio” itself
• Many local workers find roles through:
  • Atlanta-based crew databases
  • Local casting agencies
  • Referrals within the industry community

Common Roles on Campus

You may find roles such as:

• Grip, electric, and camera crew
• Art department, props, wardrobe, hair and makeup
• Production assistants and coordinators
• Security, transportation, and facilities staff
• Construction and maintenance professionals

Because Assembly is a large, active property, some roles support the infrastructure itself, while others support specific productions.

If You Live Near Assembly: Local Impact and Considerations

Residents of Doraville and nearby neighborhoods may notice shifts as Assembly grows:

Traffic and Noise

• Increased truck and equipment traffic, especially early mornings or late nights
• Occasional temporary closures or detours if a production is filming nearby
• Construction and build-out activity as the greater Assembly district develops

Local governments and productions typically work to notify residents about major disruptions, especially for large exterior shoots.

Economic Activity

You may see:

• New restaurants, coffee shops, and services catering to film workers
• Higher demand for short-term housing such as furnished rentals
• More activity around major intersections, especially before and after shifts

For many local businesses, proximity to a major studio can mean more consistent weekday traffic outside traditional rush hours.

How Assembly Compares to Other Atlanta-Area Production Options

Someone working in Atlanta film might split time across several major campuses. While each studio site is different, Assembly is part of a broader pattern:

• Built with modern, large-scale productions in mind
• Strategically located within the metro area for:
  • Access to skilled crew
  • Reasonable distance from central Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson
  • Proximity to diverse filming locations, from cityscapes to suburbs and natural areas

For many crew members, the question is not “Assembly or somewhere else?”, but “Which studio is this show at?”, and they travel to whichever campus their project uses.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Consumers and Visitors Curious About Assembly

If you are not working in the industry but are interested in Assembly Atlanta Studios, here are a few ways it may intersect with everyday life:

1. Avoiding Delays and Closures

• Keep an eye on local city communications from Doraville and DeKalb County for notices about filming-related road impacts in the area.
• If you commute via Peachtree Industrial, I-285, or Buford Highway, leave a bit of extra time when large production trucks are clearly active.

2. Using Nearby MARTA

• If you live in the city and work or meet near Doraville, the Gold Line to Doraville Station can cut down on driving and parking stress, especially during peak hours.

3. Exploring the Area (From Outside the Gates)

While the studio itself is not a tourist stop, the surrounding area has plenty to explore:

• Buford Highway: Known for its diverse restaurants and markets
• Nearby parks and neighborhoods: Offering a sense of how film and everyday Atlanta life coexist

Just remember: the active production areas are private, working sets, so photography, wandering onto set, or trying to watch from restricted areas is generally not allowed.

Key Takeaways About Assembly Atlanta Studios in Doraville

Quick reference for Atlanta residents and visitors:

For Atlanta, Assembly Atlanta Studios in Doraville is another sign that the city’s film and production industry is here to stay. Whether you are working on set, running a nearby business, or navigating the area as a commuter, understanding what this campus is and how it operates can make life around it smoother and more predictable.