A developer has proposed a $450 million film and TV studio for Pitman, in Gloucester County, adding to a wave of studio projects across New Jersey.
New Jersey is close to adding yet another location in its pursuit of becoming the East Coast’s film powerhouse. This time, a massive film and TV studio in Gloucester County.
A $450 million studio and mixed-use village on the 76-acre former Sony plant at 400 N. Woodbury-Glassboro Road in Pitman, New Jersey was announced at a borough council meeting last week. Americana Studios is set to lead the studio, while real estate developer Sora Northeast handles development, according to NJ.com.
However, it’s “far from a done deal,” according to Mayor Michael Razze Jr. in an interview with CBS—though it’s the most significant step for the project so far.
What’s Being Built
According to NJ.com, the plan calls for a large-scale production studio and a mixed-use village with housing, a hotel, restaurants, a museum, and public gathering spaces. Razze told CBS most of the former Sony building would be demolished.
It’s as much a housing project as it is a film one. Mayor Razze says it would let new families move into town, while also allowing current residents to downsize without leaving. “We want more families, we want more kids in our schools,” he told NJ.com.
If approved, the site would be built out over approximately three years. Once complete, the studio intends to work with film and TV giants, including Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount.
The Promises
The project is expected to create more than 400 permanent jobs and 400 temporary ones, providing an annual $150-million boost to the local economy. Mike Kraycik, president of the Philadelphia SAG-AFTRA chapter, tells CBS that the studio, along with New Jersey’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program, would be “huge” for the chapter’s 3,300 members.
Americana Studios is just one part of a much larger picture. New Jersey, called Hollywood East by some, has begun work on several major film studios within the state, including Netflix Fort Monmouth, Lionsgate Newark, and 1888 Studios in Bayonne.
Pitman is already in the process of securing its Film Ready New Jersey certification.
The Former Sony Site
The Sony plant at 400 N. Woodbury-Glassboro Road was, at a time, one of Gloucester County’s largest employers. Despite this, it’s remained largely unused since closing in 2011.
Pitman borough council amended its redevelopment plan to include eminent domain and began the process of potentially condemning the property in 2023. Town officials had hoped the owner would sell on his own.
This is important for the project’s future. Developers have a binding letter of intent with the owner to buy the site, but it isn’t a done deal as of publishing. Next, the borough will work to shore up the missing pieces: conduct necessary studies, continue work with developers, and amend its plan to fit the proposal.
While the final details are still being ironed out, the Garden State looks to add another film and TV project to its arsenal. This time, a $450 million studio and mixed-use village, fit for the likes of Netflix, Paramount, and whatever other streaming giants want to take advantage of Hollywood E
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
