Lights, camera, action! Yonkers Now Becoming Hollywood on Hudson

Congratulations to the City of Yonkers on the long-awaited opening this week by Great Point Studios of Lionsgate Studios Yonkers, which will soon be the largest modern-built film and television production facility in the Northeast.

In an unprecedented move that will dramatically change the landscape of the New York film and television industry, Great Point Studios also revealed its $500 million-plus expansion plans and new long-term tenants for the facility, which include Lionsgate, Mediapro and Syracuse University.

Owned and operated by Great Point Studios, Lionsgate Studios was created to satisfy the overwhelming demand for large studio space in the New York City area. This campus — approximately 11 miles from midtown Manhattan —will feature state-of-the-art film stages, post-production facilities, screening rooms, office space and support space. It 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 now-expanding, one million-square-foot complex will cost over $500 million and boast more 20,000-square-foot stages on one campus than any other facility in the Northeast. The campus will include a total of eleven soundstages: eight 20,000-square-foot stages, two 10,000-square-foot stages, and a gigantic, 30,000-square-foot stage.  It will also include parking for more than 750 cars and 100 trucks.

Three of the large stages and 500,000 square feet of office and support space are now open for business, while Great Point has also purchased approximately eight acres of additional land around the originally announced studio site. The expansion of additional stages and office space are already under construction and are scheduled to be completed in phases starting in September 2022 with total completion slated for December 2023.

“With demand for new content greater than ever and prime studio space at a premium, we’re pleased to partner with Great Point on the opportunity to become an anchor tenant of the Yonkers Studios,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.

“Given the expected rise in studio production post-Covid, we are confident that expanding our Yonkers studio will attract quality tenants. We are proud that Lionsgate, Mediapro and Syracuse University share our vision and are strongly supporting our project,” said Great Point Studios founder Robert Halmi.

“This state-of-the-art media complex will help complete the transformation of the Yonkers waterfront.  Local commerce will benefit from the expected 1000+ people working at the studio complex daily,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “We look forward to welcoming Great Point Studios, Lionsgate and all of the new companies to Yonkers in the new year.”

BCW Member National Resources will be responsible for all phases of development and construction of the studio complex. “We are very proud to work with Great Point Studios and Lionsgate to help change the production industry landscape,” said National Resources CEO Joe Cotter. “Our combined efforts will help make the newly revitalized Yonkers a sought-after destination for talent from around the world.”