ConstructionbeginstodayonthetransformativeLionsgateNewarkprojectincity’sSouthWard
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FOR NJPAC: Brian McDonough
Bmcdonough@kesslerpr.com
Construction begins today on the transformative Lionsgate Newark project in city’s South Ward
New Jersey’s first purpose-built film/TV production studio, opening in 2027, will bring hundreds of new jobs to Newark
Studio developers commit to community grants, educational programs, and environmental improvements to benefit city residents
December 11, 2025 – Newark, NJ – Global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) along with Great Point Studios, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), and the Newark Housing Authority (NHA), announced the official start of construction on Lionsgate Newark film studio, a major new film & television production facility set to revitalize the city’s South Ward neighborhood and create lasting job opportunities for Newark residents.
A community groundbreaking celebration for the new facility was held at the Temple of Hip Hop – an arts and community center located a few blocks from the studio construction site – and was attended by special guests, including Governor Phil Murphy, community representatives, and studio development partners.
The facility will be the first purpose-built, full-service film and television production complex in New Jersey. Owned and operated by Great Point Studios, the facility’s long-term anchor tenant, Lionsgate, will receive naming rights to the studio.
Spanning 12 acres on the site of the former Seth Boyden Housing complex, Lionsgate Newark will feature multiple soundstages, production offices, set-building facilities, and full on-site production services including grip/electric, equipment storage, catering, props, parking, security, and more.
“This initiative is more than just a film studio; it is a profound commitment to the future of Newark and to the future of the film industry in New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “I am proud of the work that our administration has done to attract leading entertainment companies, such as Lionsgate, to our state. This growing sector will drive economic growth by creating thousands of new jobs, supporting local businesses, and bringing meaningful investments to the community”
“Lionsgate Newark is set to be a major driver of opportunity and artistic innovation for our city,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “From the opportunities presented by the construction
phase to the long-term careers the studio will sustain in rapidly growing industries, this project represents a genuine collaboration with the people of Newark.”
The event included the signing of a Community Benefits Agreement, which outlined the studio developers’ commitment to ensuring that the studio will benefit both the city and South Ward residents through job creation, new educational programs and other initiatives.
“New Jersey has become one of the most exciting places for film and television production, and this project builds on that momentum,” said Great Point Studios Founder and CEO Robert Halmi. “The state’s strong support and smart incentives have created the ideal environment for a world-class facility like this. Lionsgate Newark will strengthen the state’s growing production industry and create meaningful opportunities for Newark residents.”
“This new studio will become a hub of content creation for Lionsgate’s projects, and we’re excited about the opportunity to partner with the South Ward community to make this neighborhood a new focal point for the entertainment industry,” said Joel Meyer, Lionsgate’s Executive Vice President & Head of TV Production.
The studio is expected to create more than 600 long-term production jobs in the city, and to generate an anticipated annual economic impact exceeding $800 million.
During the construction of the studio, 40% of total worker hours will be dedicated to Newark residents. In addition, the developers have made a commitment to offer 25% of total construction contracting to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and 7% to Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).
Once operational, 70% of the studio’s full-time employment opportunities—spanning maintenance, engineering, janitorial, administrative, landscaping, security, and other departments—will be reserved for Newark residents, who will also receive priority consideration when applying for all studio jobs. The studio will maintain an ongoing local-vendor preference policy during operations to support the city’s small businesses.
Additionally, the studio project partners intend to partner with the Newark Board of Education to develop film, television, broadcast, and related industry curricula for the city’s students, as well as training and apprenticeship programs for the city’s young people, providing them with a pathway into the growing entertainment industry.
Great Point Studios and NJPAC will help develop these educational programs. The Arts Center has also committed to producing and presenting at least 15 arts and community in the South Ward annually, providing arts education and cultural programming for young people in the neighborhood’s parks, schools and community centers.
“Creating new jobs for Newarkers and providing career training opportunities for young people in the TV and film industry are two unique and transformative deliverables that Lionsgate Newark will make possible for our community. The unprecedented investment that Lionsgate and Great Point Studios are making in our city will provide life-enhancing pathways to success to our residents,” said NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber.
The studio developers will also make substantial financial investments in the quality of life in the South Ward neighborhood, providing $300,000 in dedicated community funding. At the project’s completion, Great Point will contribute grants to ten local community organizations, totaling $200,000. An additional $100,000 will be contributed to the South Ward Environmental Alliance for environmental improvements and green-jobs programs.
“Not only will the studio bring jobs to the South Ward, but the organizations behind this project are showing themselves to be good neighbors already by offering this level of support to our community groups and our schools. Lionsgate Newark will serve as an economic engine that will drive so many positive changes for our community and for Newark as a whole,” said Patrick O. Council, the Newark City Council member who represents the South Ward.
“This studio is the centerpiece of energizing this neighborhood. We look forward to working with the City of Newark and the State of New Jersey to reimagine and revitalize this neighborhood into a thriving mixed-use community with housing for everyone on the income ladder,” said Leonard Spicer, Executive Director of the Newark Housing Authority.
The South Ward will also see quality-of-life benefits through studio-sponsored initiatives like a $50,000 beautification grant from the Newark Department of Economic and Housing Development (matched by Newark Housing Authority) for improvements to the neighborhood’s sidewalks, façades, green space, and streetscapes. The studio’s strong environmental commitments, including dust control, noise management, environmental reporting, and the installation of solar panels, will also benefit the city.
The 12-acre, $125 million-plus facility will be owned and managed by Great Point Studios. Matrix Development will serve as the project developer and Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm with deep expertise in studio and soundstage design and development with more than 3,500 active clients, has signed on to lead the way with architecture and master planning.
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About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
About Great Point Studios
Great Point Studios is a media-focused company specializing in film and television infrastructure. It was founded by Robert Halmi and Fehmi Zeko. Great Point Studios currently has locations in Yonkers, Atlanta, Buffalo, and Cardiff, Wales, with an additional location under construction in Newark, NJ. Prior to Great Point Studios, Robert Halmi was the founder of the Hallmark Channel and was President and CEO of Hallmark Entertainment. At Hallmark, Robert transformed the business from a small production company into one of the first modern studios, combining production, distribution, and broadcast under one roof. Under Halmi’s leadership, Hallmark Entertainment produced over 2,000 hours of original content. He is an active member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and serves on the board of the International Emmy Committee.
About NJPAC
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is the most diverse performing arts center in the country, and the anchor cultural institution for both the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. It is an artistic, cultural, educational and civic center where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC
brings communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC Arts & Well-Being develops initiatives and programs that amplify the health benefits of the arts and measure the impact of the Arts Center on community well-being. NJPAC has attracted more than 12.7 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit njpac.org for more information.