Bayonne’s 1888 Studios project takes major step forward

Matthew Fazelpoor//May 9, 2024//

1888 Studios will bring a 1.5 million-square-foot film and television studio to the waterfront in Bayonne. - PROVIDED BY GENSLER

Matthew Fazelpoor//May 9, 2024//

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During the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board meeting May 8, the highly anticipated 1888 Studios project in Bayonne was designated as a Film-Lease Partner Facility.

Togus Urban Renewal LLC is developing the project. When complete, the 1.5 million-square-foot facility will stand as one of the largest and first campus-style film and television studio facilities in the Northeast. It’ll also be one of the largest in the nation.

Expected to open in 2026, key 1888 Studios features and details include:

Occupies 58 acres of land and 20 acres in the Newark Bay
Designed by leading architecture firm Gensler to evoke the imagery of Golden Age Hollywood
Includes 23 mega-powered smart sound stages ranging from 18,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet with 40-to-50-foot-high ceilings
More than 350,000 square feet of production support space, outdoor backlot space, amenities, office space, mills, lighting and grip facilities, parking garage and storage
A waterfront park and promenade accessible to the public

Opening doors

The Film-Lease Partner designation is part of the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program. To earn the title, developers and operators must commit to occupying and operating studios in the Garden State for at least five years. The initiative also grants future tenants eligibility to apply for increased tax credits for projects filmed at the facility.

“The designation of 1888 Studios as a Film-Lease Partner Facility will open the door for more production companies to film in New Jersey, helping to support local small businesses and communities and create thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Gov. Phil Murphy.

Officials touted the revival of the tax credit program. They say the incentives sparked the rapid growth of the film and television production sector here in Jersey. As a result, making the state a production hub, attracting hundreds of millions in revenue and creating thousands of good-paying jobs.

“Today’s designation of 1888 Studios as a Film-Lease Partner Facility highlights how the state’s generous incentives, breadth of local talent, and diverse filming locations are attracting the development of world-class studio spaces, transforming regional economies,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan.

Jon Crowley, executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission — Crowley

“1888 Studios takes its name from the year Thomas Edison invented the motion picture camera in New Jersey, and the state continues to honor that legacy with studio partnerships that strengthen its standing as a hub of media production,” said Jon Crowley, executive director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.

“As a Film-Lease Partner Facility, future tenants of 1888 Studios will have the opportunity to access some of the most competitive filming incentives in the nation – ensuring that the Garden State stays at the forefront of movie and television production,” Crowley continued.

Returning NJ to the spotlight

Arpad “Arki” Busson is chairman of Togus Urban Renewal. He thanked the Murphy administration for inviting Togus to take part in this venture to catapult New Jersey – the birthplace of moviemaking – back onto the world stage and reclaim its title as the premier destination for entertainment production.

Major Netflix news:

In 2022, Netflix was selected as the winning bidder for Fort Monmouth's "Mega Parcel." The streaming giant will pay $55 million for the land, along with plans to commit nearly $850 million in capital investments to develop a state-of-the-art production facility on a 292-acre parcel that spans Oceanport and Eatontown. - NETFLIX — PROVIDED BY NETFLIX

Netflix has been designated as a Studio Partner and committed to occupy its Fort Monmouth facility for at least 10 years. Click here for more details on this project.

“Without that vision and his administration’s relentless commitment to this industry, none of this would be possible,” said Busson. “Receiving this first-of-its-kind designation for 1888 Studios is largely due to the unwavering support of Mayor Jimmy Davis of Bayonne. For years, he tirelessly worked to revitalize the city, culminating in the development of this state-of-the-art facility.”

Davis described the designation as a testament to the city’s commitment to fostering an environment where creative and technological industries can thrive.

“We are immensely proud to welcome 1888 Studios to our community and eagerly anticipate the diverse opportunities it will bring to Bayonne’s workforce,” said Davis. “We are turning a new page in Bayonne’s history – one that promises to be as dynamic and inspiring as the films that will soon be produced right here in our city.”