Lionsgate Breaks Ground on Newark Film Studio, Creating 600 Jobs and $800M Annual Impact

Lionsgate, along with Great Point Studios, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), and the Newark Housing Authority (NHA), today announced the official start of construction on the Lionsgate Newark film studio, a major new film and television production facility housed in the city’s South Ward neighborhood.

Constituents gathered this morning at Newark’s Temple of Hip Hop – an arts and community center located a few blocks from the studio construction site – to celebrate the groundbreaking and commencement of construction.

The 300,000 square-foot complex is expected to open in 2027 and will be the first purpose-built studio in New Jersey specifically constructed for TV and film production. It is anticipated to create more than 600 new long-term jobs, with priority for positions going to residents of Newark, and generate more than $800 million of annual economic impact for Newark and New Jersey.

“New Jersey is now a significant global competitor of consequence in film and television,” said Gov. Phil Murphy, who also highlighted Netflix’s billion-dollar film studio project coming to Fort Monmouth as well as Paramount at 1888 Studios in Bayonne, in addition to Lionsgate in Newark, as evidence of the state’s film renaissance. “This initiative is more than just a film studio; it is a profound commitment to the future of Newark and to the future of the film industry in New Jersey.”

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka called the project a major driver of opportunity and artistic innovation for the city. 

“From the opportunities presented by the construction phase to the long-term careers the studio will sustain in rapidly growing industries, this project represents a genuine collaboration with the people of Newark,” Baraka said.

The complex will be located in Newark’s South Ward at the site of the former Seth Boyden Housing site, located near Newark Liberty International Airport, the Port of Newark, NJ TRANSIT, the PATH system, and several major highways.

It will include production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, offices, support space and parking for 400 cars and 65 trucks. The facility will offer a full set of production services on site, including grip and electric, equipment, props, set building, restaurants, location catering, cleaning service, and security.

The event included the signing of a Community Benefits Agreement, which outlined the studio developers’ commitment to ensuring that the studio will benefit both the city and South Ward residents through job creation, new educational programs and other initiatives. 

“New Jersey has become one of the most exciting places for film and television production, and this project builds on that momentum,” said Great Point Studios Founder and CEO Robert Halmi. “The state’s strong support and smart incentives have created the ideal environment for a world-class facility like this. Lionsgate Newark will strengthen the state’s growing production industry and create meaningful opportunities for Newark residents.”

During the construction of the studio, 40% of total worker hours will be dedicated to Newark residents. In addition, the developers have made a commitment to offer 25% of total construction contracting to Minority Business Enterprises and 7% to Women’s Business Enterprises.

Once operational, 70% of the studio’s full-time employment opportunities — spanning maintenance, engineering, janitorial, administrative, landscaping, security, and other departments — will be reserved for Newark residents, who will also receive priority consideration when applying for all studio jobs. The studio will maintain an ongoing local-vendor preference policy during operations to support the city’s small businesses.

Additionally, the studio project partners intend to partner with the Newark Board of Education to develop film, television, broadcast, and related industry curricula for the city’s students, as well as training and apprenticeship programs for the city’s young people, providing them with a pathway into the growing entertainment industry. 

The studio developers will also make substantial financial investments in the quality of life in the South Ward neighborhood, providing $300,000 in dedicated community funding.  At the project’s completion, Great Point will contribute grants to 10 local community organizations, totaling $200,000. An additional $100,000 will be contributed to the South Ward Environmental Alliance for environmental improvements and green-jobs programs.

“Not only will the studio bring jobs to the South Ward, but the organizations behind this project are showing themselves to be good neighbors already by offering this level of support to our community groups and our schools. Lionsgate Newark will serve as an economic engine that will drive so many positive changes for our community and for Newark as a whole,” said Patrick O. Council, a Newark City Council member who represents the South Ward.

The 12-acre, $125 million-plus facility will be owned and managed by Great Point Studios. Matrix Development will serve as the project developer and Gensler, a global architecture firm, has signed on to lead the way with architecture and master planning. 

Read the full story from New Jersey Business Magazine.