Construction has officially begun on 1888 Studios in Bayonne, a new film and television production campus that will span 1.6 million square feet. The project is expected to be the largest facility of its kind in the Northeast and among the biggest nationwide.
The name “1888 Studios” references the year Thomas Edison patented the motion film camera. Designed by Gensler, an international architecture firm, the campus aims to evoke classic Hollywood while providing modern infrastructure for productions.
Togus Urban Renewal is leading development of the studio complex. According to Arpad Busson, chairman of Togus Urban Renewal, “With 1888 Studios, we set out to build a cutting-edge facility that would attract the world’s most ambitious storytellers – giving New Jersey true scale and a home for every facet of film and television production under one roof.” He added, “By keeping American productions at home, the project, which will be constructed by union workers, will generate thousands of jobs and additional opportunities for New Jersey’s small businesses.”
Once completed, 1888 Studios will cover 58 acres with more than 1.1 million square feet dedicated to production space across 23 sound stages featuring minimum 40-foot ceilings. The site will also include post-production areas, offices, mills, base camp and backlot spaces as well as lighting and grip facilities.
Governor Phil Murphy commented on New Jersey’s evolving economy: “When we look in the mirror of New Jersey we see an innovative economy. We see film, television and digital – it is who we are.”
The facility is supported by New Jersey’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program. This initiative was expanded in 2025 to allow designation of three Studio Partners and three Film-Lease Partner Facilities through large-scale infrastructure commitments overseen by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).
In October, Paramount entered into a lease agreement for at least ten years to occupy over 285,000 square feet at 1888 Studios as its Studio Partner.
Murphy said that Paramount’s move demonstrates strong growth in New Jersey’s creative sector: Paramount’s use of “1888 Studios’ large-scale, full-service production campus in Bayonne reflects the incredible momentum of the state’s creative sector,” he stated.
Andy Gordon from Paramount emphasized their commitment: “Scaling our production and expanding our slate of world-class entertainment is central to our long-term strategy,” said Andy Gordon, chief strategy officer and chief operating officer for Paramount. “We’re thrilled to invest in the US and in the region and lean into our creative momentum to spark economic growth. We’re deeply grateful for the support and partnership of Gov. Phil Murphy, Senator Raj Mukherji, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and 1888 Studios. Thanks to highly competitive tax credit programs like New Jersey’s, the tri-state area is more attractive than ever before for production as we work together to create new jobs and empower more domestic production for America’s creative workforce.”
This groundbreaking follows recent developments elsewhere in New Jersey’s media industry infrastructure; construction began last week on Lionsgate Newark film studio—a separate major facility scheduled to open in Newark’s South Ward neighborhood by 2027—and Netflix continues building its Fort Monmouth Studio.
Governor Murphy concluded: “New Jersey is now a significant global competitor of consequence in film and television,” he said. “By attracting world-class studios and productions, we are not only creating high-quality jobs, promoting infrastructure, and driving economic growth but are also investing in our communities and elevating New Jersey as a national leader in entertainment.”
