Newest tenant at Nashville's iconic 'Batman Building' co-created Overwatch, Call of Duty

Middle Tennessee's tech industry is in growth mode. Same goes for the entertainment and media sector.

At the crux of that growth is the world of video game development — after all, many video game soundtracks are scored here. And one independent studio is growing its Nashville footprint at a well-known silhouette on the skyline.

The newest tenant at the city's iconic "Batman building" is Iron Galaxy Studios, a Chicago-based video game co-developer. The company signed a lease to move into a 25,000 square-foot space in the building at 333 Commerce Street known for its two ear-like antenna spires.

The firm will move from its temporary space in the UBS Tower in June.

Founded in 2008, Iron Galaxy has contributed to gaming franchises Skyrim, Call of Duty, Killer Instinct, Overwatch, Uncharted and Valorant. The studio opened its Nashville office in 2022 and has office locations in Orlando and Chicago.

The game development studio expects to add more than 100 Nashville jobs over the next five years.

The search for talent

Next, Iron Galaxy plans to open an office in Austin, Texas, according to a news release. Like its three other locations, the move is designed to enhance the developer's recruitment and talent cultivation strategy by locating near universities where students may be pursuing video-game development careers.

“Nashville provides our company access to some of the best young talent in the video game development industry, which is critical to growing our business," said Dave Land, founder of the company, in the release.

The new studio will have an open concept with several collaborative, communal workspaces in addition to large desk spaces to accommodate the technology needed for video game design and development.

Remodeled Batman Building provides high-end office space

Nashville's Batman Building, one of the most iconic and recognizable towers in the ever-expanding skyline, recently underwent remodels to the communal spaces. The lobby and commercial areas were upgraded, and the office tower boasts an 8,000-square-foot fitness center and spacious outdoor courtyards.

Other tenants in the office include AT&T (whose marquee is displayed at the top of the tower) and U.S. Bank.

The real estate management company JLL represented Iron Galaxy in the lease agreement. JLL senior managing director Kevin Ziomek said the office location is ideal for the video game company.

“Iron Galaxy is introducing an interesting new business vertical to the Nashville job market, which will blend seamlessly into the city’s creative fabric,” Ziomek said. “Its commitment to the future of Nashville and the talent our local universities are fostering is remarkable."

The 33-story office tower was built in 1994 and remains the tallest building in Nashville and the state of Tennessee (as long as you count its signature spires). MTL Leasing is the current owner of the building. However, Tony Giarratana is in the process of building a taller, 60-story tower at 1010 Church Street.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's AT&T building scores Iron Galaxy Studios as newest tenant