Robert De Niro has plans to bring a 650,000-square-foot facility dedicated to film, television, and augmented and virtual reality to Astoria, Queens. Initial renderings from Bjarke Ingels Group reveal a “vertical village” over the former site of a Steinway & Sons Piano Storage Facility at 87 19th Avenue. The $400-million project will house offices, production support, stages, and lounges.
Wildflower Studios was first announced in July with the purchase of a 5.25-acre site by De Niro, his son Raphael De Niro, development firm Wildflower, and film producer Jane Rosenthal. The studios will be adjacent to Steinway Creek, overlooking part of the East River in an industrial section of Astoria. Due to its location, Wildflower is required to provide public water access and land conservation as reported in The Architect’s Newspaper.
Renderings depict a metallic structure with large windows, skylights, and green landscaping incorporated throughout. The design makes use of the natural light flowing in through the cutouts and vantage points of the waterfront.
The nearest subway station to the new production studio is Ditmars Boulevard, serviced by the N and W trains.
A completion date has not yet been announced.
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Wow! This is very close to where I live. That could be a blessing or a curse (for rents at least).
Good planning,positive construction projects. The TV media never reports on Construction projects.
Bjarke is becoming the go-to-architect for predictable and safe, but still better-than-average projects.