Famed inventor Thomas Edison debuted the world's first movie production studio, called the Black Maria, in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1893. Now the city is welcoming a new cutting-edge film-making facility.
The West Orange Township Council has approved plans for the redevelopment of a 12.2-acre site near the historic Thomas Edison National Historical Park and behind the Edison Lofts apartments downtown, the last standing structure of inventor Edison's once-expansive laboratory complex.
The proposed studio project, led by Monroe, New Jersey-based Matrix Development Group, is slated to span between 150,000 and 350,000 square feet, according to a statement Wednesday from the municipality. It will feature three to six production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet each. Matrix didn't respond to an email from CoStar News seeking a comment.
Under Gov. Phil Murphy's administration, New Jersey has been aggressively courting TV and movie producers after reinstating tax incentives for those companies. For example, streaming giant Netflix is investing roughly $1 billion to build a large studio complex at Fort Monmouth. And Hollywood movie studio Lionsgate is partnering with producer Robert Halmi and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to build a $125 million TV and movie production complex in Newark.
Each stage is set to be equipped with on-site production services, encompassing grip and electric, equipment, props, set building, location catering, cleaning services and security. The facility will also have office and support spaces, along with parking facilities capable of accommodating 200 to 400 cars and 30 to 60 trucks. When its fully operational, the studio is expected to create 300 to 600 full-time jobs.
Edison, considered one of the greatest American inventors, is credited with inventions such as the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph and the motion picture camera, as well as improving the telegraph and telephone. He had more than 1,000 patents.
The new film studio is planned for some of the parcels of land that West Orange purchased from Prism Capital Partners — headquartered in Nutley, New Jersey, and the developer of Edison Lofts — in February 2022 for $12.5 million, according to CoStar data. One plot, at 55 Lakeside Ave., is the site of the 192,000-square-foot industrial building known as the Barton Press Building, according to CoStar.
Matrix has acquired redevelopment rights for the studio project, contributing $200,000 to West Orange — a suburb less than 20 miles from Manhattan — "mirroring the anticipated property taxes for the year 2023," according to the municipality. The due diligence period may extend for an additional eight months, accompanied by a potential supplementary payment of $200,000.
During this phase, Matrix will formulate project details, finalize a purchase-and-sale agreement for the designated properties, provide monthly progress reports, and conduct an evaluation of environmental conditions.
The film studio project "promises to propel West Orange forward economically for generations to come," Township Mayor Susan McCartney said in a statement.
"A film studio in downtown West Orange, situated at the heart where motion pictures were invented in the Black Maria, Edison’s first film production studio, is not only fitting but is poised to bring prosperity to our town, echoing the impact of Thomas Edison in the late 1880s," she said. "This venture ensures financial stability that will positively resonate with our business owners, residents and the local economy.”
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television recently designated West Orange as a so-called Film Ready Community under a new program. Film Ready New Jersey is a five-step certification and marketing initiative that educates municipalities on the basics of motion picture and television production and sets basic standards for attracting film making.
The “film-ready” designation allows certified communities to promote themselves as filming destinations and connects film and television professionals with liaisons across the state.