City politicians and local business owners gathered on Tuesday morning to break ground on the future site of “Sunset Pier 94” — a massive film and TV campus slated for Manhattan’s West Side.
Being built along 52nd Street, the “first-of-its-kind” production hub will house a purpose-built studio to film television shows and movies in the Big Apple, which will bring both economic activity and economic growth to the area, said the head of the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
“It was only a few months ago that we announced this exciting new public-private partnership that’s going to bring jobs and a huge economic boon to the film and television industry here in New York City, and we are already breaking ground,” said EDC President Andrew Kimball. “This is a huge milestone for the city and all our partners, and we are looking forward to cutting the ribbon on Manhattan’s first film, television, and content production facility.”
As New York City has lost out on filming locations to other metropolitan areas, often with more generous tax incentives and better pre-existing infrastructure, Big Apple leaders are looking to lure production companies back with the state-of-the-art facility on the West Side.
“Sunset Pier 94 Studios heralds a new era for artistic production in our borough. This investment in Manhattan as a hub of the entertainment industry and a talented workforce will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our economy,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine in a statement. “The public benefits and workforce development initiatives that will be part of this project demonstrate the Sunset Pier 94 Studio’s team commitment to everyday New Yorkers. I look forward to seeing this project come online.”
Adams’ administration touted that construction of the facility alone would create 1,300 jobs, while generating a projected $6.4 billion in economic fallout over the next 30 years.
“Congratulations to NYCEDC and partners on today’s milestone groundbreaking of the Sunset Pier 94 Studios, which is poised to become a major contributor to New York City’s film and television production industry,” said the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner, Pat Swinney Kaufman.
The site where the soon-to-be-built campus is currently sitting vacant.
Along with the new film and television hub, Adams announced the creation of new public restrooms, additional public space and bike safety improvements to the area that will accompany construction of the new facility.
“Sunset Pier 94 Studios will bring a major private investment to this public asset, activating this long-vacant space to create good-paying jobs, vibrant public space, and exactly the amenities this community has been asking for,” Hizzoner said.
The project, which was years in the making, brought several big-named real estate and finance companies together in New York City — as Vornado Realty Trust enlisted the help of asset management firm Blackstone and developer Hudson Pacific Properties to turn the Pier 94 project into a reality.
“The swift commencement of construction on Sunset Pier 94 Studios is representative of the strength of this public-private partnership and the demand we anticipate for the first purpose-built studio facility in Manhattan,” said Victor Coleman, the CEO of Hudson Pacific Properties, in a statement. “We know the local entertainment industry is hungry for a modern, ideally located production facility and we look forward to delivering and operating this unique project to meet those needs.”
