Silvercup West

Richard Rogers Partnership was originally appointed by Silvercup Studios – the largest independent, full-service film and television production facility in the north-eastern United States – in 2002 to design the Silvercup West production complex on the Long Island City waterfront in Queens, New York. The project won approval from the New York City Council on 16 August 2006, following recommendations made by the City Planning Commission, Borough President and local Community Board.

Silvercup West is to be built on a 2.45-hectare waterfront site adjacent to the Queensboro Bridge, six blocks west of the company’s main facility. Featuring an additional eight soundstages to the 18 studios currently in existence at its two nearby locations, the project will add to New York City’s television and film production industry, and will also provide waterfront access for residents and workers. The $1 billion complex will be a mixed-use development, combining residential space (1,000,000 sq ft), office space (655,000 sq ft), retail space (75,000 sq ft), a catering hall (45,000 sq ft), a cultural institution (130,000 sq ft) and a public waterfront esplanade and plazas. It is estimated that the project will create 2,200 construction jobs, 3,900 permanent jobs, and an additional 2,500 jobs indirectly as a result of the development.

The Silvercup West complex will be adjacent to the landmark New York Architectural Terracotta Company building. Constructed in 1892, the building was originally part of a larger establishment that produced much of the terracotta popular in New York architecture and across the US in the early part of the 20th century. As part of the redevelopment of the site, Silvercup Studios will be restoring this historic building for reuse in the future.

Silvercup Studios opened its first studio in 1983 in the former Silvercup Bakery and quickly established itself as the largest independent, full-service film and television production facility in the north-east. Today, with its expansion of Silvercup Studios East, Silvercup Studios operates more than 400,000 square feet of space and has 18 studios, on-site production offices and extensive set, prop and wardrobe storage areas. Film and television productions such as ‘The Sopranos’, ‘Sex & the City’ and ’Gangs of New York’ – among many others – have been filmed there.

Silvercup West achieved planning approval (ULURP) in summer 2006.