New York City has a weird relationship with its waterfront. For decades, Pier 94 was that massive, drafty concrete slab on the West Side Highway where you’d go for a trade show or a random warehouse sale. It was functional, sure, but it wasn't exactly a crown jewel of Manhattan’s skyline. That is changing fast. The massive construction project now known as Sunset Pier 94 Studios is basically the city’s big bet on keeping the film and TV industry from fleeing to New Jersey or Georgia.
It’s huge.
Honestly, if you've driven down the Hudson River recently, you’ve seen the cranes. This isn't just another office building. We’re talking about the first purpose-built film and television studio campus in Manhattan. Most people don’t realize how rare that is. Usually, studios are converted cracker factories in Queens or sprawling lots in the outer boroughs. Building something of this scale—roughly 266,000 square feet—right on the water in Midtown is a logistical nightmare that only a few massive players could pull off.
The Players Behind the Pier
This isn't a solo act. The project is a public-private partnership, which is fancy talk for "the city owns the land, but private companies are footings the bill." The primary drivers are Vornado Realty Trust, Hudson Pacific Properties, and Blackstone. If you follow real estate, those names carry a lot of weight. Hudson Pacific, specifically, brings the "Sunset" brand from their iconic Sunset Studios in Hollywood. They know how to build stages that actual cinematographers want to work in, which is a detail often lost on generic developers.
The City of New York, via the Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), is the other silent partner. They’ve been trying to figure out what to do with Pier 94 for years. Previous plans involved fancy malls or convention expansions that never quite materialized. This time, it’s about jobs.
Construction started in late 2023, and they are moving at a clip. The goal? A fully operational facility by 2025. This isn't a "maybe" project. The steel is up. The money is spent.
Why Sunset Pier 94 Studios Actually Matters for NYC
Let’s talk about the "Georgia problem." For the last decade, New York has been losing mid-budget productions to Atlanta because of tax credits and sheer space. It’s hard to film a 10-episode Netflix series in a cramped basement in Bushwick. Sunset Pier 94 Studios is designed to fix the space issue.
It’s going to house six soundstages.
That might not sound like a lot compared to a massive backlot in California, but in Manhattan? It’s a game-changer. These stages are equipped with high-tech infrastructure—fiber optics, massive power grids for lighting rigs, and soundproofing that can handle the dull roar of the West Side Highway right outside the door.
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Beyond the glitz of movie stars, the project is supposed to create over 1,300 construction jobs and eventually 400 permanent spots for the local economy. But it’s not just for the industry elite. Part of the deal with the city involves community benefits. We’re talking about 25,000 square feet of open space for the public, a new pier park, and even a portion of the Hudson River Park waterfront Greenway that finally connects properly.
Breaking Down the Specs
If you’re a gearhead or a producer, the numbers are what matter.
The six soundstages range in size, but they are all designed for the "prestige TV" era. You've got 145,000 square feet of production support space. This is where the tailors, the carpenters, and the digital editors live. If you don't have enough room for the hair and makeup trailers, you don't have a studio.
They are also leaning hard into sustainability. This is 2026; you can't build a massive concrete block on the river and ignore the environment anymore. The facility is aiming for LEED Gold certification. It’s supposed to be North America’s first "large-scale" 100% electric studio. They’re installing massive solar arrays and skipping the gas lines for heating. It’s a smart move. Not just for the planet, but because big production companies like Disney or Amazon now have corporate mandates to film in "green" facilities.
The Design Headache
Designing a studio on a pier is a total pain. You have the Hudson River underneath you, which means you have to deal with tides, salt air, and the constant threat of flooding. The architects had to raise the "critical" infrastructure above the flood plain. Remember Hurricane Sandy? The developers certainly do.
The aesthetic is also meant to blend in, sort of. It’s a lot of glass and sleek metal, intended to look less like a fortress and more like a modern tech campus. They want it to feel like part of the neighborhood, not a fenced-off industrial zone. The public restrooms and the new community space are part of that strategy to keep the neighbors from complaining about the constant flow of equipment trucks.
What Most People Get Wrong About New Studios
There’s a misconception that more studios mean more traffic and noise. While the West Side Highway is already a mess, the logistics plan for Sunset Pier 94 Studios includes internal loading docks. The idea is to keep those massive 18-wheelers off the street as much as possible.
Another myth is that these jobs are only for "Hollywood types." In reality, a studio is basically a massive craft shop. It’s electricians, plumbers, painters, and caterers. Most of the people working on a set live in the five boroughs. By putting a studio in Manhattan, you're cutting down the commute for the crew who usually have to trek out to deep Brooklyn or Long Island City.
The Long-Term Impact on Manhattan
Manhattan has been struggling with its identity lately. With office vacancies high, the city needs new industries. Creative production is one of the few sectors that actually requires physical presence. You can’t "work from home" if you’re a gaffer or a lead actress.
This project reinforces the "West Side Media Corridor." You have the IAC building nearby, Chelsea Piers just down the road, and now a massive soundstage complex. It creates a cluster effect. When production companies know they have all these resources within a few blocks, they are more likely to set up shop long-term.
It’s also about the waterfront. For a century, NYC's piers were for shipping and trash. Then they were for nothing. Now, they are for recreation and high-end production. It’s a massive shift in how the city uses its most valuable real estate.
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What to Expect Next
As we move through 2026, keep an eye on the tenant announcements. We haven't seen a "big fish" sign a 10-year lease yet, but the rumor mill is spinning. Whoever grabs these stages first will essentially be the face of Manhattan's new media age.
If you’re a local, you’ll likely start seeing more "no parking" signs for film shoots, but the trade-off is a much nicer park and a cleaner pier. If you’re in the industry, start polishing that resume—there’s going to be a lot of hiring once those bay doors open.
Actionable Steps for Industry Professionals and Locals
If you're looking to capitalize on this massive shift in the NYC production landscape, here’s how to position yourself:
- For Crew and Freelancers: Update your profiles on the NYC Film & TV digital platforms. The influx of work at Pier 94 will ripple through the unions (IATSE, Teamsters). If you aren't already connected to the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), now is the time to check their training programs.
- For Local Small Businesses: The "support space" at Pier 94 is huge, but it won't cover everything. Local catering, equipment rental houses, and even dry cleaners within a mile radius should prepare for "production accounts."
- For Community Members: Stay active with the Hudson River Park Trust meetings. They are the ones overseeing the public access portions of the pier. If you want to make sure those "community benefits" actually happen, you have to show up to the forums.
- For Investors: Keep a close watch on the quarterly reports from Vornado and Hudson Pacific. Their success at Pier 94 will likely dictate whether we see similar "vertical studios" pop up in other dense urban areas.