Silvercup Studios, a long-standing stage facility for spots, TV and features, has begun construction on a second, nearby stage complex that’s slated to open in June. The new facility-dubbed Silvercup Studios East-will be located about a mile from the original Silvercup, and approximately a half mile from the Queens Midtown Tunnel.
"With our largest studios running at nearly full capacity, it now makes sense to undertake this expansion," said Silvercup CEO Alan N. Suna. Citing the current stage shortage in New York City, he added that this Silvercup expansion and other new sites such as Hudson River Studios are both "tremendous for New York."
The privately-financed $20 million project will include five new drive-on stages, each with approximately 16,000 square feet of space and a ceiling height of up to up to 28 feet. The height of the stages, Suna believes, will especially attract commercial production. He noted, for example, that automobile shoots in particular require stages with high ceilings in order to appropriately light vehicles. In fact, Suna said Silvercup Studios had to turn down two jobs last week because it didn’t offer the ceiling height required for the jobs.
Designed in the style of a Hollywood lot, the new site boasts 250,000 square feet of space in a gated complex, and includes a 12,000-square-foot, 30-foot-high construction area, 25,000 square feet of production offices and set, prop and wardrobe storage areas. Additionally, the facility provides parking for up to 300 cars.
Silvercup’s existing management will head both locations. President Stuart March said, "Silvercup Studios East will provide filmmakers and television production companies what they need most-a collection of large, tall studios in a single complex, with all of the required amenities." Suna said the company was negotiating several jobs at press time.
Silvercup’s existing facility currently houses two TV series: Sex in the City and The Sopranos, both for HBO. Annually, it is also the site for roughly 300 commercial productions as well as numerous feature films. Recent spot clients include Wendy’s, Old Navy and Victoria’s Secret.
