Jersey City is moving forward with plans to build a movie studio complex, which would be the largest film studio in the state, and one that would “rival Brooklyn for a share of the TV and movie market in this area,†Mayor Steven Fulop said.
By Corey McDonald/Hudson County View
The studio, which will be owned and developed by Criterion Group LLC, would be built at 21 Caven Point Ave. – what was an old industrial warehouse. The company purchased the property for $16.75 million.
“We think it’s a big opportunity,” Fulop said on Thursday. “It will attract a lot of jobs from across the river [and] I think we’re going to rival Brooklyn for a share of the TV and movie market in this area.”
“There’s no shortage of interest in arts and entertainment in Jersey City.”
A number of major productions have been filmed in the city in recent years, such as “Joker” starring Joaquin Phoenix, as well as The Sopranos prequel movie “The Many Saints of Newark.”
The project, which was approved by the city planning board, will include 70,000 square feet of studio space and three sound stages “with the requisite ancillary space needed for large scale productions.” It would be the largest studio in the state.
Officials expect the studio to open its doors in spring 2020, and say it will “play a pivotal role” in the redevelopment of the area.
Follow Corey McDonald on Twitter @cwmcdonald_
