LIONSGATE STUDIOS NEWARK
NEWARK,
N.J., May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Great
Point Studios, a studio investment/management business
specializing in film and television infrastructure, and The
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark's anchor
cultural and civic institution, today announced a partnership with
global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) to
build a major new production facility in Newark. The facility
will be owned and operated by Great Point Studios. As the
facility's long-term anchor tenant, Lionsgate will receive
naming rights to the studio. NJPAC will manage public
affairs and community relations for the studio and create
educational programs and internships for Newark high school and college students.
The facility will be the first purpose-built studio in
New Jersey specifically
constructed for TV and film production. It will be located in
Newark's South Ward at the site of
the former Seth Boyden Housing site, which is conveniently located
near Newark Liberty International Airport, the Port of Newark, NJ TRANSIT, the PATH system, and
several major highways. Operations are expected to begin in late
2024.
New Jersey Governor
Phil Murphy's active
encouragement, in addition to the recently passed legislation on
film and television incentives, were instrumental in attracting
Lionsgate to New Jersey.
"One of my administration's priorities has been to enhance
New Jersey's film industry and
create new revenue streams for our State," said Governor
Murphy. "With the addition of the Lionsgate Newark Studio,
New Jersey will cement its
position as a hub for television and film production with its
proximity to all forms of transportation and access to more than
14,000 qualified union members in the region. As a result, the
introduction of the Lionsgate Newark Studio not only promotes the
economic vitality of our state, but also provides good jobs and
access to opportunity for all South Ward community members."
"Bringing a project of this magnitude into Newark is a monumental victory for our city,"
said Newark Mayor Ras
Baraka. "It will bring hundreds of new jobs, create new
educational opportunities for our students, and invigorate the
revitalization of the South Ward."
Great Point Studios founder Robert Halmi called upon decades of
experience as founder of the Hallmark Channel and a producer of
more than 400 film & television projects to create a facility
that fits the needs of today's television and film productions.
The 300,000 square-foot, full-service, modern entertainment
complex will include production stages ranging from 20,000 to
30,000 square feet, offices, support space and parking for 400 cars
and 65 trucks. The facility will offer a full set of
production services on site, including grip and electric,
equipment, props, set building, restaurants, location catering,
cleaning service, and security. It is anticipated to create more
than 600 new long-term jobs, with priority for positions going to
residents of Newark, and generate
more than $800M of annual economic
impact for Newark and New Jersey.
"We have a shared vision for the future of the entertainment
industry, and it's reflected in every detail we put into this
complex," said Founder & CEO of Great Point Studios
Robert Halmi. "Given the rise in studio production
post-Covid, we are confident that expanding our studio program into
New Jersey will be a welcome
addition."
"This is a great opportunity to scale our East Coast studio
footprint with our partners at Great Point Studios and the New
Jersey Performing Arts Center to support our robust film &
television production," said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. "Lionsgate Studios
Newark is also an important part of our commitment to diversity,
equity and inclusion, enabling us to create hundreds of jobs,
provide educational opportunities to local students and contribute
to the economic revitalization of the South Ward of Newark."
NJPAC originated the idea for the project with the City of Newark and the Newark Housing
Authority, developed a coalition of partners, and collaborated to
bring the project to public announcement.
"NJPAC continually seeks opportunities to act as a catalyst for
economic development in its home city of Newark," said NJPAC CEO John Schreiber. "We are grateful to Mayor
Baraka and the Newark Housing Authority for embracing our project
to bring a world class film studio back to the city where celluloid
movie film was invented and to Governor Murphy for creating tax
incentives to make New Jersey more
attractive to the film industry and especially for the development
of studios, like Lionsgate Newark. Without their collective
efforts, this project wouldn't have seen the light of day."
The 12-acre, $125 million-plus
facility will be owned by a joint venture between Great Point
Studios and its institutional partner, an affiliate of
Lindsay Goldberg, a private
investment firm focused on partnering with entrepreneurs and
family-owned businesses to help them grow. Matrix Development
will serve as the project developer and Gensler, a global
architecture, design and planning firm with more than 3,500 active
clients, has signed on to lead the way with architecture and master
planning.
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 investment fund specializing in film and
television infrastructure. It was founded by Robert Halmi and Fehmi Zeko. They are presently
expanding into new studio investment/management businesses in other
locations in North America and the
U.K.
Robert Halmi is the
founder of the Hallmark Channel and was Chairman of Crown Media.
Robert has been the Chief Executive Officer of four public
companies. As President and CEO of Hallmark Entertainment,
Robert transformed the business from a small production company
into one of the first modern studios, with production, distribution
and broadcast all in one company. Under Halmi's leadership,
Hallmark Entertainment produced over 2,000 hours of original
content. Halmi is an active member of the Academy of Television
Arts & Sciences and serves on the board of the International
Emmy Committee.
Fehmi Zeko is the founding
partner of Great Point Studios. Zeko has established a record of
helping global technology, media and telecommunications clients
build strong companies and deliver profitable growth through
landmark M&A, turnaround and growth initiatives. Fehmi has led
the banking strategies in global communications, media,
entertainment and telecom at Bank of America, Macquarie Capital and
Citigroup. Fehmi has had consistent success providing
operating advice and capital to drive the completion of hundreds of
transactions and raising hundreds of billions in equity and debt
capital. He has built, led and/or expanded market sector practices
in leading institutions through long-standing corporate
relationships with clients such as Viacom, Lionsgate, Newscorp,
Fox, Time-Warner, Comcast NBCUniversal, Cablevision, Disney, CBS,
Yahoo, Facebook, Sony, Warner Music,
Thomson Reuters, Bertelsmann, Vivendi, Sprint, American Tower,
Apollo, Bain, TPG, KKR, TH Lee and Blackstone, among others.
ABOUT NJPAC
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center
(NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New
Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the
United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and
civic center of New Jersey — where
great performances and events enhance and transform lives every
day. As New Jersey's town square, NJPAC brings diverse
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 has
attracted more than 10 million visitors (including almost 2 million
children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful
and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.
Visit www.njpac.org for more information.
ABOUT LINDSAY
GOLDBERG
Lindsay
Goldberg is a private investment firm that focuses
on partnering with families, founders and management teams seeking
to actively build their businesses. Since 2001, Lindsay Goldberg has raised more than
$17 billion of equity capital and has
invested in over 50 platform companies and over 250 follow-on
opportunities. For more information,
visit www.lindsaygoldbergllc.com.
ABOUT MATRIX DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Matrix Development
Group is a privately held, full-service real estate investment and
development company with offices in New Jersey. The company
is an active investor and developer of commercial, industrial,
residential, and golf and hospitality properties throughout the
Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Since its founding in
1979, the company has developed a multi-billion dollar real estate
portfolio that has been recognized for its leadership by numerous
charitable, community and real estate organizations.
ABOUT GENSLER
Gensler is a global architecture,
design, and planning firm with 50 locations across Asia, Europe,
Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Founded in
1965, the firm serves more than 3,300 active clients in virtually
every industry. Technology innovations, new consumer behaviors, and
the impact of the global health crisis are driving media
workplaces, studios, newsrooms, and campuses to embrace change.
Gensler partners with clients to deliver tailored design solutions
that are purpose-built to adapt to new expectations. We create
compelling workplaces that help industry-leading media clients
attract creative talent, create a rewarding workplace experience
and connected culture, and forge new territory while staying rooted
in authenticity. Gensler's media clients include NFL Media,
DreamWorks, Comcast, Washington Post, New York
Times, Conde Nast, and
Audacy.
Architectural renderings of the studio are
available here:
https://evergreenpr.egnyte.com/fl/1KY5pvlWPA
Media Inquiries:
Peter Wilkes
Lionsgate
Pwilkes@lionsgate.com
310-255-3726
Daniela Sapkar
Great Point Studios
daniela.markoska@sapkarpr.com
646-644-4418
Karen
Kessler
NJPAC
kkessler@kesslerpr.com
908-322-1100
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SOURCE Lionsgate