Netflix is bringing a new TV production hub to Bushwick

April 18, 2019 Mary Frost

This former printing plant in Bushwick is the site of a new Netflix TV production hub with six sound stages, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday. Photo/image data via Google Maps

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Internet media giant Netflix is building a production hub in Bushwick with six sound stages, expected to host thousands of production crew jobs within five years, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday.

The company has leased approximately 161,000 square feet to build the production and support space at 333 Johnson Ave., a three-story former printing facility.

BLD Architecture, on behalf of building owner Steel Equities, filed plans on Thursday with the NYC Department of Buildings to renovate and convert the site into television studios.

The hub will also include an expanded office in Manhattan at 888 Broadway that will directly create 127 new executive-level content, marketing and production development jobs over the next five years. Netflix in New York currently operates with 32 employees from an office in Chelsea.

The company has produced numerous shows in New York City, including Dating Around, Orange is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, She’s Gotta Have It, The Irishman, Someone Great, Private Life and Russian Doll.

In the competition to bring the 127 high-paying office jobs to Manhattan, Empire State Development offered up to $4 million in performance-based Excelsior Tax Credits over 10 years. To receive the full incentive, Netflix must create the 127 jobs by 2024 at the new office and then retain those new jobs — and their existing 32 office jobs — for another five years.

The Netflix facility joins Steiner Studios, a massive production facility at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Steiner, which provides space for Hollywood-scale productions, is roughly 3.5 times the size of the planned Netflix site.

Cuomo said he looked forward to the jobs and productions the project will bring, and called Netflix “innovative, creative and bold — just like New Yorkers.”

Jason Hariton, director of Worldwide Studio Operations & Real Estate at Netflix said that New York had created a “film-friendly environment that’s home to some of the best creative and executive talent in the world.”

Late last year Long Island-based Steel Equities bought the Bushwick property for $53 million, according to The Real Deal.

The three-story building formerly housed the printing company Alvin J Bart & Sons. A company spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle that the printer relocated to Texas about a year ago.

Netflix has more than 139 million paid memberships in over 190 countries, who watch TV series, documentaries and feature films on the internet.