BROOKLYN, NY-Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that the state in increasing its financial support of the Steiner Studios' media campus project at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The state is providing the project with a $6.3 million boost, bringing total state assistance for phase three of the effort to $11.3 million. Those monies are being matched dollar-for-dollar by New York City.

The contributions will enablie Steiner Studios to finance the $137 million infrastructure project that will convert the underutilized naval hospital annex at the Brooklyn Navy Yard—which has been vacant for nearly three decades—into a hub for media, technology and film related businesses. Future development of the site will involve over $270 million of additional investment.

Steiner Studios' expansion involves the construction of more than 170,000 square feet of new soundstages and an approximately three-acre outdoor streetscape backlot, which is expected to support increased tourism in the area and significantly ease disruptions in city neighborhoods heavily used for film and television shoots.

“These funds will allow us to begin the expansion of our media campus, which will enlarge our capabilities in the production of quality film and television, install an educational component for career training in these fields, and create thousands of new jobs,” says Douglas C. Steiner, chairman of Steiner Studios.

The site–noted for its historic structures and rich landscaping–offers a production environment radically different from anything available in New York City today, officials say. With buildings preserved from the Civil War and both World Wars, the open campus environment features winding drives, expansive fields and park-like grounds. The 20-acre site is adjacent to Steiner Studios existing space at the Navy Yard.

The nonprofit Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. is partnering with private developer Steiner to convert multiple structures and buildings at the Brooklyn Navy Yard into Steiner Studios Media Campus III. The project will include the construction of a gas, water, sewer, electric and teledata infrastructure loop on the 20-acre Naval Annex that will allow for over 300,000 square feet of new space for media and tech companies, together with academic partners, in nine historic structures and five new buildings. Other key infrastructure investments include construction of the Kent avenue vehicular entrance, a campus pedestrian passage, and a grand stair plaza which will connect the Naval Annex to Steiner Studios. Also included in this phase will be the renovation of the 46,000 square-foot officers' club and the construction of approximately 177,000 square feet of new soundstages.

“For decades, we have been preserving the hospital campus site for the best possible re-use, says David Ehrenberg, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. Steiner Studios' continued commitment to the Navy Yard ensures the future vitality of this site and thousands of new employment opportunities,” “Thanks to the state's and city's crucial funding, we can now begin the necessary infrastructure work and further solidify New York as a destination for film and television production.”

Instant Insights /

Governor Pledges Support for Brooklyn Media Campus

Related Stories

Recommended For You