Newark is getting ready for its movie close up
Newark, N.J., Mayor Ras J. Baraka recently announced that the city will be home to a major studio in order to take advantage of the growth in video steaming in addition to producing films for major studios.
Lionsgate, which owns Starz, will partner with Great Point Studios, to build a $125 million studio on 12 acres, to replace the shuttered Seth Boyden Housing Project near Liberty International Airport. Seth Boyden, also known as Brick City, opened in 1939, and closed in 2015.
Liberty International is a key East coast airport for fliers who don’t want to go into New York City.
The 300,000 square foot complex, which is scheduled to open in early 2024, will include production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet in size with office space and support space.
Once completed, the studio will generate more than $800 million in annual economic impact for Newark and New Jersey. The studio will also generate 600 new long-term jobs.
In addition to being located near Liberty International Airport, will also be located near several major highways and the PATH public transportation system.
“Bringing a project of this magnitude into Newark is a monumental victory for our city,†said Mayor Baraka.