General Business
By Jim Pytell, Managing Editor On Dec 16, 2025
A groundbreaking celebration was held today in Bayonne to mark the beginning of construction on 1888 Studios, a 1.6-million-square-foot film and television production campus, set to become the largest such facility in the Northeast and one of the largest in the nation.
Named after the year Thomas Edison patented the motion film camera, 1888 Studios is designed by global architecture firm Gensler with the aim of evoking imagery of Golden Age Hollywood.
The campus, currently under development by Togus Urban Renewal, will provide a unique blend of cutting-edge infrastructure, proximity to Manhattan, access to a deep and experienced regional industry workforce, and some of the world’s most attractive film, television, and post-production tax incentives.
“With 1888 Studios, we set out to build a cutting-edge facility that would attract the world’s most ambitious storytellers – giving New Jersey true scale and a home for every facet of film and television production under one roof,” said Arpad Busson, chairman, Togus Urban Renewal. “By keeping American productions at home, the project, which will be constructed by union workers, will generate thousands of jobs and additional opportunities for New Jersey’s small businesses.”
The 58-acre facility will offer more than 1.1 million square feet of production space spanning 23 smart sound stages with a minimum of 40-foot clear ceilings; production support space; flexible post-production space; offices; mills; base camp and backlot; and lighting and grip facilities to accommodate every phase of production.
“When we look in the mirror of New Jersey we see an innovative economy,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “We see film, television and digital – it is who we are.”
Additionally, through New Jersey’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program, 1888 Studios offers tenants competitive incentives comparable to other leading production hubs worldwide. Expanded in 2025, the program empowered the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to designate three Studio Partners and three Film-Lease Partner Facilities, each linked to large-scale infrastructure commitments.
In October, Paramount signed a minimum 10-year lease agreement, committing to occupy more than 285,000 square feet of the facility and becoming 1888’s Studio Partner.
Murphy said that Paramount’s expansion into New Jersey, utilizing 1888 Studios’ large-scale, full-service production campus in Bayonne, reflects the incredible momentum of the state’s creative sector, solidifying its reputation as a global powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
“Scaling our production and expanding our slate of world-class entertainment is central to our long-term strategy,” said Andy Gordon, chief strategy officer and chief operating officer, for Paramount. “We’re thrilled to invest in the US and in the region and lean into our creative momentum to spark economic growth. We’re deeply grateful for the support and partnership of Gov. Phil Murphy, Senator Raj Mukherji, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and 1888 Studios. Thanks to highly competitive tax credit programs like New Jersey’s, the tri-state area is more attractive than ever before for production as we work together to create new jobs and empower more domestic production for America’s creative workforce.”
Today’s groundbreaking comes on the heels of construction beginning on the Lionsgate Newark film studio last week, a 300,000-square-foot major film and television production facility housed in the city’s South Ward neighborhood and slated to open in 2027.
The commencement of construction on these facilities, as well as ongoing construction of Netflix’s Fort Monmouth Studio, certainly signals palpable momentum for the film and television industry in the state.
“New Jersey is now a significant global competitor of consequence in film and television,” Murphy said. “By attracting world-class studios and productions, we are not only creating high-quality jobs, promoting infrastructure, and driving economic growth, but are also investing in our communities and elevating New Jersey as a national leader in entertainment.”
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