Huge Movie Studio Coming To Newark; 600 Jobs Expected, Gov. Says

NEWARK, NJ — A huge TV and movie studio is coming to New Jersey’s largest city, and it’s expected to create 600 jobs and more than $800 million of “annual economic impact,” officials say.

On Tuesday, Great Point Studios and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced a new partnership with Lionsgate. The goal? To build a massive film production facility in Newark.

According to a statement from the office of Gov. Phil Murphy – who enthusiastically supported the project – the complex will be the “first purpose-built studio in New Jersey specifically constructed for TV and film production.”

It will be located in Newark’s South Ward at the former Seth Boyden Housing site, which is seeing other development projects, carving out a new future for the first public housing complex in the city. Read More: Cheers In Newark As Demolition At Seth Boyden Complex Begins

According to Murphy’s office:

“The 300,000 square-foot, full-service, modern entertainment complex will include production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, offices, support space and parking for 400 cars and 65 trucks. The facility will offer a full set of production services on site, including grip and electric, equipment, props, set building, restaurants, location catering, cleaning service, and security. It is anticipated to create more than 600 new long-term jobs, with priority for positions going to residents of Newark, and generate more than $800 million of annual economic impact for Newark and New Jersey.”

Operations are expected to begin at the new film complex in late 2024.

The 12-acre, $125 million-plus facility will be owned by a joint venture between Great Point Studios and its institutional financial partner, Lindsay Goldberg, a private investment firm. Lionsgate will receive naming rights to the studio. Matrix Development will serve as the project developer, and Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm, will provide architecture and master planning.

Meanwhile, NJPAC will manage public affairs and community relations for the studio and create educational programs and internships for Newark high school and college students.

Murphy said the state’s recently passed legislation expanding tax breaks for film companies was a key part of enticing Lionsgate to set up shop in New Jersey. Read More: NJ Tax Incentive For Film, TV Production Expanded

“One of my administration’s priorities has been to enhance New Jersey’s film industry and create new revenue streams for our state,” Murphy said. “With the addition of the Lionsgate Newark studio, New Jersey will cement its position as a hub for television and film production with its proximity to all forms of transportation and access to more than 14,000 qualified union members in the region.”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said the project is a “monumental victory” for the city.

“It will bring hundreds of new jobs, create new educational opportunities for our students, and invigorate the revitalization of the South Ward,” Baraka said.

Other support for the project came from:

Robert Halmi, founder and CEO of Great Point Studios – “We have a shared vision for the future of the entertainment industry, and it’s reflected in every detail we put into this complex. Given the rise in studio production post-COVID, we are confident that expanding our studio program into New Jersey will be a welcome addition.”

Jon Feltheimer, CEO of Lionsgate – “This is a great opportunity to scale our East Coast studio footprint with our partners at Great Point Studios and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to support our robust film and television production. Lionsgate Studios Newark is also an important part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, enabling us to create hundreds of jobs, provide educational opportunities to local students and contribute to the economic revitalization of the South Ward of Newark.”

John Schreiber, CEO of NJPAC – “NJPAC continually seeks opportunities to act as a catalyst for economic development in its home city of Newark. We are grateful to Mayor Baraka and the Newark Housing Authority for embracing our project to bring a world class film studio back to the city where celluloid movie film was invented and to Governor Murphy for creating tax incentives to make New Jersey more attractive to the film industry and especially for the development of studios, like Lionsgate Newark. Without their collective efforts, this project wouldn’t have seen the light of day.”

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