Sunset Pier 94 Studios

Overview

Opportunity

Solution

Impact

Team

Sunset Pier 94 Studios reimagines an underutilized stretch of Midtown Manhattan’s waterfront into the city’s first purpose-built film and television production campus, solidifying New York City’s media infrastructure while enhancing connectivity and public access to Hudson River Park.

Location

New York, New York

Client

Hudson Pacific Properties

Expertise

[FPO] Building Transformation [FPO] Adaptive Reuse Media [FPO] Building Transformation & Adaptive Re-Use [FPO] Climate Action & Resiliency

Opportunity

Sunset Pier 94 Studios solidifies New York City as one of the preeminent filming locations for the entertainment industry, while also contributing to the needs of the local community.

As streaming platforms and content production continue to expand, cities are competing to attract film and television projects with specialized facilities and production ecosystems. New York’s growing media industry requires modern, technically sophisticated studio space to remain competitive, while major waterfront developments are increasingly expected to deliver public access, economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship alongside private investment.

Why This Matters

01
New Stage for New York
A purpose-built Manhattan production campus expands New York’s capacity for film and television.
02
Building Waterfront Resilience
Raising the studio floor eight feet above the historic pier protects operations from future storm tides while preserving and adapting the structure for long-term use.
03
Opening the Waterfront
New open space, community amenities, and greenway safety improvements extend the project’s benefits beyond the studio, strengthening public access while protecting secure production operations on site.

FPO Quote

Solution

Sunset Pier 94 Studios transforms a historic waterfront pier into Manhattan’s first purpose-built production campus.

Sunset Pier 94 Studios reclaims the 226,000-square-foot area at the western terminus of 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan. The studio includes six stages and support spaces ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, with control room facilities and production suites, talent and support areas, and traditional workspaces. The public realm portion comprises an 1,850-square-foot community amenity space, 25,000 square feet of open space on the pier, new public restrooms for Hudson River Park, and safety improvements to the existing greenway for strolling down the waterfront.

Providing the scale, flexibility, and sophisticated infrastructure needed to support a range of content production, Sunset Pier 94 Studios solidifies Manhattan’s position as a premier destination for film and television production.

Public waterfront access, along with plans for 100% renewable energy-powered operations, extend the project’s impact to the local community.

What Changed Because of This

01
Setting the Stages
A historic Manhattan pier becomes a purpose-built production campus with six stages, flexible support spaces, and infrastructure for film, episodic, and live television.
02
Public Waterfront Access
The project adds 25,000 square feet of open space, community amenities, public restrooms, and safer pedestrian and cyclist connections along the Hudson.
03
Climate Resilience
An 8-foot raised studio floor allows future storm tides to pass beneath the building, strengthening flood resilience while preserving the historic pier structure.

We had to balance FEMA flood resiliency requirements, zoning limitations, historic view corridors, and multi-agency jurisdiction, all while preserving public access.

Team

Project Leadership

[FPO] Robert Fuller

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[FPO] Leslie Jabs

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Sumita Arora

Work Sector Leader, Media Leader, Principal

John Wiedner

As a global leader for Gensler’s Media Practice Area and a Design Manager with a passion for film and television projects, John has become a valuable resource across the firm.

FAQ

01

What is Sunset Pier 94 Studios?

Sunset Pier 94 Studios is Manhattan’s first purpose-built film and television production studio campus, with six soundstages and dedicated production, support, and workspace facilities.

02

Where is the facility located?

Sunset Pier 94 Studios is located at Pier 94 on Manhattan’s West Side, along the Hudson River waterfront and adjacent to Hudson River Park.

03

Who designed the project?

Gensler designed Sunset Pier 94 Studios as a modern media production campus that adapts the existing pier while integrating soundstages, production facilities, and public waterfront improvements.

04

Who developed Sunset Pier 94 Studios?

The project is a public-private partnership among Vornado Realty Trust, Hudson Pacific Properties, Blackstone, the City of New York, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

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Related Expertise

Building Transformation Adaptive Reuse Media Building Transformation & Adaptive Re-Use Climate Action & Resiliency

Sunset Pier 94 Studios reimagines an underutilized stretch of Midtown Manhattan’s waterfront into the city’s first purpose-built film and television production campus, solidifying New York City’s media infrastructure while enhancing connectivity and public access to Hudson River Park.

Sunset Pier 94 Studios solidifies New York City as one of the preeminent filming locations for the entertainment industry, while also contributing to the needs of the local community.

Why This Matters

Sunset Pier 94 Studios transforms a historic waterfront pier into Manhattan’s first purpose-built production campus.

Providing the scale, flexibility, and sophisticated infrastructure needed to support a range of content production, Sunset Pier 94 Studios solidifies Manhattan’s position as a premier destination for film and television production.

What Changed Because of This