Bayonne has taken a decisive step into the global production spotlight with the ceremonial groundbreaking of 1888 Studios, a sweeping new film and television campus that is poised to become the largest purpose-built studio complex in the Northeast. The December 16, 2025 milestone marked the beginning of construction on a transformative redevelopment project that converts a long-idled industrial site into a state-of-the-art creative hub designed to attract major productions and long-term economic growth.
Rising on 58 acres at the foot of Avenue A, on the former Texaco refinery grounds decommissioned in the 1980s, the campus will ultimately encompass more than one million square feet of purpose-built production infrastructure. The architectural vision, developed by Gensler, draws inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood while delivering modern, technologically advanced facilities tailored for contemporary film and streaming demands.
At full buildout, 1888 Studios will feature 23 smart sound stages ranging from approximately 18,000 to 60,000 square feet, supported by production mills, flexible office environments, and a dramatic 22-acre water backlot. These assets position Bayonne to host large-scale features, episodic television, and premium streaming content under one integrated roof. Paramount Skydance has already committed as the anchor tenant, securing a minimum 10-year lease for more than 285,000 square feet of production space, signaling strong confidence in the campus’s long-term potential.
Beyond its production footprint, the development is designed to deliver public-facing benefits that reconnect the waterfront to the community. Plans include a new waterfront park and a public promenade that will link into the Hackensack RiverWalk, expanding recreational access while enhancing the city’s shoreline.
The economic implications are substantial. Construction is projected to generate approximately 2,300 union building trades jobs, with an estimated 2,000 permanent union positions anticipated once the campus becomes operational. The project has also been designated as New Jersey’s first Film-Lease Partner Facility and is supported through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Aspire gap financing program, which provided a significant tax credit designation to catalyze long-term development in the region.
While early projections once suggested an opening in 2026, the current construction schedule targets completion in the fourth quarter of 2028. When doors open, 1888 Studios will stand as a cornerstone in a broader statewide strategy to establish New Jersey as a premier destination for film and television production, joining other major developments such as the Netflix complex at Fort Monmouth and Lionsgate Newark Studios.
For readers tracking the growth of production infrastructure and the evolving entertainment economy across the Garden State, additional coverage and updates are available in the site’s dedicated film studios section, which follows the latest projects, investments, and creative milestones.
With its scale, public amenities, and anchor partnerships, 1888 Studios represents more than a single development—it signals a reimagining of Bayonne’s waterfront and a powerful statement about New Jersey’s place in the global entertainment industry.
