Paramount Skydance has signed a deal to be the main tenant at the future 1888 Studios in Bayonne. Image courtesy of Gensler.
One of Hollywood’s largest companies will be massively increasing their New Jersey presence as Paramount Skydance has agreed to a deal that will make them the primary tenant at a Bayonne production facility.
Per Deadline, the company has signed a minimum 10-year, 285,000 square foot lease at 1888 Studios in Bayonne. The move will unlock access to the state’s newly enhanced film tax incentives and makes Paramount eligible for the state’s Studio Partner designation.
Jersey Digs was the first news outlet to reveal the development back in March of 2022, which is revitalizing 13 lots near the city’s southern border along First Street near Avenue. Bayonne passed a rezoning plan in 2020 for the land, which overlooks Staten Island and housed an oil storage facility until the 1980s.
The studio is currently under construction on a parcel near the Bayonne Bridge. Image courtesy of Gensler.
Togus Urban Renewal is now building a 1.5 million square foot motion picture and television facility at the property, which will include a total of 19 buildings catering to various aspects of the industry. Designed by San Francisco-based firm Gensler, 1888 Studios will consist of a mix of studio sound stage buildings complemented by attached office structures.
The complex will include a post-production office and several mill buildings for stages to be constructed and stored. Other aspects of the plan include a lighting and grip building, a central utility plant, a utility yard, a trash and recycling area, and four sub-surface parking structures providing a total of 2,127 parking spaces.
Rendering of the studio complex. Image courtesy of Gensler.
“Scaling our production and expanding our slate of world-class entertainment is central to our long-term strategy,” said Paramount’s Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer Andy Gordon in a statement. “We’re deeply grateful for the support and partnership of Governor Murphy, Senator Raj Mukherji, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and 1888 Studios.
Named after the year Thomas Edison patented the motion film camera, the future facility was designated New Jersey’s first Film-Lease Partner last year. Paramount has submitted its Studio Partner application to the state, which is slated to be reviewed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority during their October 30 meeting.
The Paramount news is just the latest development in the proliferation of Hollywood in New Jersey. Lionsgate is building a major film production studio of their own in Newark, while Netflix is building out a production campus at a former military base in Fort Monmouth.