Lionsgate Studios in downtown Yonkers, now open and $500 Million expansion already planned
On January 11th, Great Point Studios officially opened the doors to its long-awaited 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 is also revealing its $500 million-plus expansion plans and new long-term tenants for the facility, which include Lionsgate, Mediapro and Syracuse University.
Lionsgate Studios Yonkers is located on the Hudson River in downtown Yonkers, situated just a few steps away from the newly created Saw Mill River Plaza and Yonkers’ new Metro North Railroad station. The dynamic growth and revitalization of the city will underpin the value of the new facility and make it the premier tri-state venue for anyone needing production facilities.
“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.”
The announcement was made today by Great Point Studios Founder and CEO, Robert Halmi, who called upon decades of experience as founder of the Hallmark Channel and a producer of more than 400 film & television projects to create a facility that fits the needs of these cutting-edge companies. “We have a shared vision for the future of the entertainment industry, and it’s reflected in every detail we put into this complex,” Halmi said.
“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.”
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 (11) 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.
Lionsgate has expanded its role as anchor tenant, and will occupy seven of the complex’s eleven stages, along with office and support space. Besides its prominent theatrical film presence, Lionsgate is producing over 40 television shows for various broadcast outlets, including its own Starz platform.
“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,” says Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. “They will give our television and film productions state-of-the-art East Coast sound stages with great proximity to New York City, and we look forward to them becoming an important hub for our global production activities.”
Mediapro, a leading group in the global audiovisual sector, unique in content integration, production and audiovisual distribution, has also inked a long-term deal to be a key tenant on the site. Mediapro will take occupancy of its first stage later this year and they have options on two more of the planned expansion stages. Their first stage is expected to be completed this winter.
“Mediapro recently expanded its operations in the US with two new production centers in great locations, and our aim through this partnership is to continue our growth in the country and globally,” stated Mediapro US CEO Irantzu Diez Gamboa. “We are very pleased with the partnership with Great Point Studios and are very excited to form part of the largest film and television production complex in the Northeast. We believe that with the increase in new content productions this space provides an opportunity for our in-house content creation, production and distribution factory, The Mediapro Studio, to grow, and also to increase our portfolio of studios to provide broadcast and media services to third parties.”
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY: S.I. NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
In a unique partnership between the academic and production worlds, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University has also come on as a key partner at Lionsgate Studios. Syracuse University will work with Great Point Studios to create a distinctive learning and fully hands-on working experience for television, radio and film students. Beginning this month, the school will utilize the facility as a giant classroom and will have access to all stages and equipment at Lionsgate Studio Yonkers. The Newhouse NYC program is a specialized program for Newhouse students from all majors, placing them in NYC for a semester where they intern and take classes. This alliance will allow television, radio and film students enrolled in the Newhouse NYC program to become fully immersed in a production experience through coursework and hands-on internships. Undergraduate juniors and seniors will be part of the inaugural program.
“At the Newhouse School, we are always looking for ways to ensure that our students have access to front-line industry experiences,” says S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University dean Mark J. Lodato. “The immersive film environment at Lionsgate Studios Yonkers is visionary, and will propel our film experience, particularly on the East Coast. Thanks to our alumnus Robert Halmi and Great Point Studios, we are thrilled to be able to offer our film students the opportunity to learn and work at what will be one of the most cutting-edge media enterprises in the country.”
A key investment partner and project developer at Lionsgate Studios Yonkers is National Resources. The company has operated in the New York area for 30 years and has tallied up more than $1.5 billion in construction and redevelopment projects. 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,” says 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.”
