Two new TV and film production studios are coming to Brooklyn, with promises of over 2,000 jobs.
New York City Economic Development Corporation, New York City Industrial Development Agency and real estate investment firm Bungalow Projects on Wednesday announced the closing of two transactions totaling $552 million to support the construction of two, all-electric, high-end film and television production studios in Red Hook and Bushwick.
The two Brooklyn studios, one at 176 Dikeman St. and another at 242 Seigel St., will be branded as Echelon Studios. The city expects the two studios to create about 2,400 jobs between studio operations and construction.
"As the top destination in the country for talent, and leader in innovation, New York City is ripe to grow its presence as a global production destination," NYCEDC President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Kimball said in a statement. "With workforce development and sustainability at the center of these projects, they will serve the surrounding communities and larger industry and complement our work across Brooklyn."
The city is providing about $90 million in benefits to support the development of these studios, including reductions in mortgage recording taxes, various city and state tax exemptions and ongoing property tax breaks over a 20-year period.
“These transactions mark a major milestone for Brooklyn’s creative economy and strengthen New York City’s position as a global production hub,” said Susi Yu, co-founder of Bungalow Projects.
The two studios will feature state-of-the-art industry specifications including column-free soundstages with clear-to-grid heights of 40 feet, below-grade parking space, high production support-to-stage space ratios, and top-of-market electrical, HVAC and floor load capacity.
The development project also includes a community workforce development program. Reel Works will tap into their MediaMKRS Career Development program, which trains young New Yorkers for careers in film and television production and post-production, which includes a partnership with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to recruit out-of-school, out-of-work youth. Similarly, Hook Arts Media will also develop tailored community-based media education programs targeting residents of Red Hook and Bushwick.
“This collaboration allows us to connect talented young adults to the growing film and television industry while strengthening our community’s creative and economic future," said Michelle Rivera, executive director of Hook Arts Media.
The details of each project include:
Echelon Studios Bushwick:
- 135,345-square-feet of land
- 355,000-square-foot facility
- 6 floors
- 90,800-square-feet of below-grade parking (over 230 spaces)
- 6 stages
- Designed for three large, high-budget film or television productions at a time.
Echelon Studios Red Hook:
- 85,000-square-feet of land
- 246,000-square-foot facility
- 6 floors
- 56,000 square feet of below grade parking (over 185 spaces)
- 4 stages
- Designed for one to two large, high-budget film or television productions at a time.
