West Orange Movie Studio May Create ‘300 To 600 Jobs,’ Supporters Say

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The buzz continues to build about a project that may eventually bring a new movie studio to West Orange – and hundreds of jobs along with it, supporters say.

In December, the West Orange Town Council voted 3-2 to approve a redevelopment agreement with MDGA – West Orange Downtown Redevelopment LLC, which has offices at the Matrix Development Group in Monroe Township. The company will now get a crack at developing one of the town’s most high-profile real estate projects in years: a new film studio.

The agreement paves the way for MDGA to build a studio on 12.2 acres of property within the town’s Film Services Overlay District. It will be located next to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in downtown West Orange, directly behind the Edison Lofts on Main Street – the last surviving building of Thomas Edison’s laboratory complex.

• See Related: West Orange Council Takes Crucial Vote On Movie Studio Proposal
• See Related: West Orange Seeks To Bolster Film Studio Plans With More Development

The nonprofit Downtown West Orange Alliance recently released an update about the council’s landmark decision, which it called one of the “most significant” local real estate transactions in years.

Here’s what to expect when the studio is complete, according to the alliance, which manages the town’s Special Improvement District:

“Envisioned to span between 150,000 and 350,000 square feet, the studio will feature three to six production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet each. Each production stage will be equipped with on-site production services, encompassing grip and electric, equipment, props, set building, location catering, cleaning services, and security. The facility will also include office and support spaces, along with parking facilities capable of accommodating 200 to 400 cars and 30 to 60 trucks. Upon full operation, the project anticipates the creation of 300 to 600 new full-time jobs, catalyzing economic growth in the region.”

Additional details about the breakdown of the expected jobs weren't included in the group's statement.

The alliance continued:

“Matrix Development Group has acquired redevelopment rights for the project, contributing $200,000 to the township, mirroring the anticipated property taxes for the year 2023. The due diligence period may extend for an additional eight months, accompanied by a potential supplementary payment of $200,000. During this phase, Matrix will formulate project details, finalize a purchase and sale agreement for the designated properties, provide monthly progress reports, and conduct a thorough evaluation of environmental conditions.”

The Downtown West Orange Alliance said the project may already be bearing fruit for the township, which was recently designated as a “Film Ready Community” by the state of New Jersey. Read More: West Orange Is 'Film Ready' For Movie Producers, NJ Officials Declare

McCartney cheered for the designation, saying that it will “allow us to better accommodate movie and television producers and effectively market ourselves.”

West Orange isn’t the only municipality in New Jersey that has seen a development proposal for a movie studio in recent years.

In 2022, Great Point Studios and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center announced a new partnership with Lionsgate. The goal? To build a massive film production facility in Newark. See Related: Lionsgate Will Get Extra Tax Breaks To Make Movies, Shows In Newark

However, unlike the Lionsgate studio in Newark, the studio in West Orange doesn’t have a production company attached yet – a point that some council members and critics have raised.

The proposed movie studio has seen support from several West Orange officials, including Mayor Susan McCartney.

“We are thrilled about this film studio project that promises to propel West Orange forward economically for generations to come,” the mayor said.

“A film studio in downtown West Orange, situated at the heart where motion pictures were invented in the Black Maria, Edison’s first film production studio, is not only fitting but is poised to bring prosperity to our town, echoing the impact of Thomas Edison in the late 1880s,” McCartney continued.

Another supporter of the proposal, New Jersey Sen. John McKeon, attended the Nov. 20 town council meeting to advocate for the deal. Read More: Film Studio Development Proposal Discussed In West Orange (VIDEO)

Other West Orange community members have been less optimistic about the proposal, however, with some criticizing both the agreement and the council’s oversight of the project.

“New Jersey redevelopment law requires that prior to choosing a redeveloper for a parcel of land, the council must adopt a redevelopment plan,” local nonprofit advocacy group Our Green West Orange said in December, questioning the possibility of a future payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with the developer.

“Yet, the council is being asked to vote to hand over our downtown redevelopment area to Matrix Development Company without having first presented a real plan,” the group contended. “Matrix has only presented an outline that floats the possibility of a film studio.”

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