Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost detailed his wife Scarlett Johansson’s surprised reaction to his 2023 purchase of a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry during an interview on the SmartLess podcast set to air May 4, 2026.
Jost and fellow comedian Pete Davidson purchased the vessel at auction for $280,100 after it was decommissioned in 2022. The 70,000-square-foot boat, which Jost formerly used for his daily commute to high school, is being reimagined as a large-scale event space and community hub.
“I texted Scarlett, like, ‘Guess what? We own a ferry now,'” Jost shared on the SmartLess podcast. “And she was like, ‘We?'”
The purchase was described as a sentimental but complex investment that Jost and Davidson are managing alongside architect Rob Castellano. Despite Davidson previously joking during a November SNL segment that the project was losing millions, Jost defended the long-term potential of the 70,000-square-foot asset.
The development team currently faces a lengthy administrative process involving various New York City regulations. These include securing necessary permits, arranging parking solutions, and meeting environmental safety standards before the vessel can begin operations as a public venue.
Jost outlined two primary visions for the ferry’s future use in Manhattan. The first concept involves operating the ship as a club for parties, while the second aims to create a middle-class community space similar to the swim clubs Jost frequented as a child in Staten Island.
According to the interview, the owners are also considering a seasonal operational model. This plan would involve docking the vessel in Manhattan for most of the year and potentially moving it to Miami during the winter months to utilize the warmer climate.