Sunset Pier 94 Studios Debuts, Bringing Purpose-Built Sound Stages to the Heart of Manhattan

Photo Courtesy of NYCEDC

New 232,000-square-foot studio campus launches with strong demand and lease signed for first production

Sunset Pier 94 Studios, Manhattan’s first purpose-built film and television studio facility, officially opened this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by joint venture partners Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO), Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) and Blackstone Real Estate, along with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), elected officials, industry leaders and community partners.

Located on Manhattan’s West Side, Sunset Pier 94 Studios, which was designed by global architecture and design firm Gensler, is a one-of-a-kind production campus offering 232,000 square feet of leasable space, including six purpose-built sound stages, 145,000 square feet of production support space and offices, plus on-site parking. The facility’s sound stages feature up to 36-foot clear heights and direct access to a mill where sets can be built, while offices and support spaces offer abundant natural light and sweeping Hudson River views.

The project represents a major milestone for New York City’s film and television industry, addressing a long-standing shortage of modern, purpose-built studio space in Manhattan. The opening coincides with New York State’s recently expanded film and television tax credits, bolstering demand for the unique facility.

The studio has launched operations with strong initial leasing momentum. Paramount Television Studios has signed a lease to produce the second season of Dexter: Resurrectionacross two sound stages, with additional production office space on site. There is strong interest from high-quality clients for the remaining available space, with more leases to be announced in the coming months.

Beyond its role as a premier production hub, Sunset Pier 94 Studios delivers significant community benefits, including new public restrooms for Hudson River Park, 25,000 square feet of waterfront open space and pier access, nearly 2,000 square feet of community amenity space and safety improvements to the adjacent bikeway.

As part of the project, funding was made available to support workforce development and training programs in film, TV, and media production, connecting local residents to jobs in the industry. In February 2025, the selected operators—Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) and Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI)—commenced programming that includes industry-specific training, internship placements, scholarships, case management, and more.

In total, the project is expected to support approximately 400 permanent jobs and contribute an estimated $6.4 billion to the local economy over the next 30 years.

For more information, visit SunsetStudios.com.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.