Work Starts On $125M Lionsgate Movie Studio In Newark (Take A Sneak Peek)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s been years coming, but work has finally begun on a highly hyped film studio in New Jersey’s largest city.

On Thursday, stakeholders announced that construction has started on Lionsgate Newark, a major movie and television production facility in the city’s South Ward.

The studio is expected to open in 2027, developers said.

The $125 million facility will be the first purpose-built, full-service film and television production complex in New Jersey. It is expected to create more than 600 long-term production jobs and generate an anticipated annual economic impact of more than $800 million, developers said.

Spanning 12 acres on the site of the former Seth Boyden Housing complex, Lionsgate Newark will feature multiple soundstages, production offices, set-building facilities, and full on-site production services including grip/electric, equipment storage, catering, props, parking, security and more.

Developers said the studio will have environmental safeguards, including dust control, noise management, data reporting and the installation of solar panels.

Owned and operated by Great Point Studios, the facility’s long-term anchor tenant, Lionsgate, will receive naming rights to the studio. Matrix Development will serve as the project developer, and Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm, will provide architecture and master planning.

A community groundbreaking celebration for the new facility was held Thursday at the Temple of Hip Hop, an arts and community center located a few blocks from the studio construction site.

Attendees at the event included Gov. Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, South Ward Councilman Patrick Council, and representatives from Lionsgate, Great Point Studios, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Newark Housing Authority.

“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,” Murphy said.

“Lionsgate Newark is set to be a major driver of opportunity and artistic innovation for our city,” Baraka said.

“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,” the mayor added.

News about the new studio first broke in 2022, with developers estimating that operations would begin in late 2024.

Murphy previously said the state’s recently passed legislation expanding tax breaks for film companies was a key part of enticing Lionsgate to set up shop in New Jersey.

• Read More: Lionsgate Will Get Extra Tax Breaks To Make Movies, Shows In Newark
• Read More: NJ Tax Incentive For Film, TV Production Expanded

LOCAL BENEFITS

Developers said there are several ways that Newark will benefit from the new film studio:

HIRING LOCAL 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 (MBEs) and 7% to Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs). 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.”

NEWARK VENDORS – “The studio will maintain an ongoing local-vendor preference policy during operations to support the city’s small businesses.”

COMMUNITY FUNDING – “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 ten 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. The South Ward will also see quality-of-life benefits through studio-sponsored initiatives like a $50,000 beautification grant from the Newark Department of Economic and Housing Development (matched by Newark Housing Authority) for improvements to the neighborhood’s sidewalks, façades, green space, and streetscapes.”

Another important way the Lionsgate studio will benefit Newark is education, developers said:

“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. Great Point Studios and NJPAC will help develop these educational programs. The Arts Center has also committed to producing and presenting at least 15 arts and community in the South Ward annually, providing arts education and cultural programming for young people in the neighborhood’s parks, schools and community centers.”

“Creating new jobs for Newarkers and providing career training opportunities for young people in the TV and film industry are two unique and transformative deliverables that Lionsgate Newark will make possible for our community,” NJPAC president and CEO John Schreiber said.

One of those opportunities? A new high school devoted to the media industry.

The Newark Public School District’s newest school, New Media High, will be located at the former site of the Dayton Street Elementary School, near Weequahic Park and adjacent to where Lionsgate Studios is scheduled to open its new production facilities.

New Media High School will specialize in preparing students for careers in content creation, video media production and entertainment management. The school will work in partnership with Great Point Studios and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to provide students with apprenticeships and internships – or potential employment.

The school is expected to welcome its first students in September 2026, district administrators said.

• See Related: Newark's Newest School Will Train Students For Media Careers

FILMING BOOMS IN NEWARK

The Lionsgate studio isn’t the only Hollywood-esque project that has been sparking buzz in Newark.

Earlier this year, officials announced that Newark is in active discussions with The MBS Group and its partner Whoopi Inc., which is led by famed entertainer Whoopi Goldberg. The goal? To “establish a major studio presence” in New Jersey’s largest city.

Negotiations are expected to yield a formal announcement in the coming months, the mayor’s office said in May.

According to a city spokesperson, the discussion with The MBS Group and Whoopi Inc. is not connected to the Lionsgate project.

• See Related: Whoopi Goldberg-Led 'Hollywood Studio' May Be Coming To NJ's Largest City
• See Related: Lights, Camera, Action: Filming Boom Continues In Newark

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