Multimillionaire comedian Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat is planning an expansion into Atlanta, marking the latest move by a California-based entertainment firm to establish a presence in Midtown.
According to a report by Atlanta Business Chronicle, Hartbeat, headquartered in Los Angeles, intends to occupy approximately 11,500 square feet at T3 West Midtown, as revealed by a permit application submitted in Atlanta. The company is slated to move into a mass timber building within Atlantic Station, a commercial area in Midtown. The application suggests that Hartbeat may allocate up to $675,000 to construct its new premises.
The expansion puts Hartbeat in the company of United Talent Agency, which inaugurated its own Midtown office earlier this year, boasting a clientele that includes celebrities like Hart himself, Ben Stiller, and Will Ferrell. Additionally, 3 Arts Entertainment, a talent management firm from Beverly Hills, is reportedly exploring options for office space in the area.
Details about the specific purpose of Hartbeat’s new Atlanta division remain undisclosed. The company declined interview requests. However, plans for the new location include executive offices, meeting spaces, collaborative work areas, and a podcast production facility, which can accommodate around 180 individuals.
In a significant move in April 2022, Hart consolidated his entertainment ventures, Hartbeat Productions, and Laugh Out Loud, forming a unified entity known as Hartbeat. This restructuring was accompanied by a substantial $100 million investment from private equity firm Abry Partners, as the Los Angeles Times reported.
Hartbeat CEO Thai Randolph informed Variety earlier this year that the company has since doubled its workforce and has an ambitious slate of at least 70 projects under development. “Hartbeat is committed to crafting and disseminating comedic content that unites audiences through the universally relatable experience of laughter,” Randolph articulated in a discourse with Forbes.
This development signifies a noteworthy gain for Georgia’s burgeoning film and entertainment industry, recognized as one of the leading filming destinations in the United States and a growing nucleus for original content production.
Industry insiders believe that the region’s growth trajectory might see a significant uptick following the current Hollywood actors’ strike resolution. Given its cost advantages over established entertainment capitals like Los Angeles and New York, Georgia could become an increasingly attractive location for creative professionals.
Kevin Hart is one of the wealthiest African Americans. Apart from his media company, Hartbeat, Hart owns Hart House, which offers 100 percent plant-based burgers, sandwiches, and fries. He also co-owns premium tequila brand Gran Coramino and Hartbeat Ventures, among other ventures.
