Phase one of the project will total 170,000 square feet, including five production stages. The general contractor on the project is Tri-Rail Construction of Copiague, NY. The first phase is designed by Gerald Caliendo Architects. Battista says financing is in place for the first phase and that York Studios and its partners hope to begin the second phase of the project once the first phase is completed.

The project is set to receive $36 million in conditional tax benefits over a 25-year term from the New York City Industrial Development Agency. The second phase will involve approximately 171,000 square feet and include four more production stages.

“This is an industry that is bursting at the seams,” Battista tells Globest.com. “I get calls every other day for feature films, television shows or productions. With all the different levels of platforms that they have, whether it is Netflix, Amazon, hulu, YouTube, everybody needs content. Also, the way that people are watching TV these days with 'binge watching' your normal series that might have taken 12 episodes, which would be one time a week, people are watching in a week. Demand for more content grows continuously and our challenge is to provide the space to produce it in.”

York Studios' Queens complex opened in 2012 to host the film production of the feature film “Non-Stop” and has since seen theatrical productions such as “John Wick,” “This Is Where I Leave You,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and “Godzilla” filmed at the complex. York Studios is also home to the CBS Network television show “Elementary.”

The expansion of York Studios in the Bronx is expected to generate nearly $100 million in new tax revenue, employ more than 400 production industry professionals and create hundreds of construction jobs.

Battista says the Michaelangelo project site was attractive because the Bronx is currently securing the least amount of television and production work of all the boroughs. He believes that in addition to the production work on campus, television and film crews will find the diverse surrounding neighborhoods attractive venues for on-location shoots.

NEW YORK CITY—The first dirt has turned on York Studios' much anticipated $100-million “Michaelangelo Campus” film and television production complex in the Soundview section of the Bronx.

A host of city and state officials were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, including New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Deputy Mayor Alicia Glenn and Commissioner of the mayor's 0ffice of media and entertainment Julie Menin.

York Studios EVP of operations John Battista tells Globest.com that work on the $45-million first phase at 1410 Story Ave. has begun and will take about 16 months to 18 months to complete. The new campus will significantly expand Maspeth, Queens-based York Studios' operations, which includes a 40,000-square-foot facility that features one production stage.

The Bronx complex, at full build-out will total 350,000 square feet of production space, including nine production stages, production office space, and workshops for each stage. The currently vacant 10-acre lot off the Bruckner Expressway will also include eight loading docks and secured on-site parking. The property is bordered by the Bronx River and Soundview Park.

Phase one of the project will total 170,000 square feet, including five production stages. The general contractor on the project is Tri-Rail Construction of Copiague, NY. The first phase is designed by Gerald Caliendo Architects. Battista says financing is in place for the first phase and that York Studios and its partners hope to begin the second phase of the project once the first phase is completed.

The project is set to receive $36 million in conditional tax benefits over a 25-year term from the New York City Industrial Development Agency. The second phase will involve approximately 171,000 square feet and include four more production stages.

“This is an industry that is bursting at the seams,” Battista tells Globest.com. “I get calls every other day for feature films, television shows or productions. With all the different levels of platforms that they have, whether it is Netflix, Amazon, hulu, YouTube, everybody needs content. Also, the way that people are watching TV these days with 'binge watching' your normal series that might have taken 12 episodes, which would be one time a week, people are watching in a week. Demand for more content grows continuously and our challenge is to provide the space to produce it in.”

York Studios' Queens complex opened in 2012 to host the film production of the feature film “Non-Stop” and has since seen theatrical productions such as “John Wick,” “This Is Where I Leave You,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and “Godzilla” filmed at the complex. York Studios is also home to the CBS Network television show “Elementary.”

The expansion of York Studios in the Bronx is expected to generate nearly $100 million in new tax revenue, employ more than 400 production industry professionals and create hundreds of construction jobs.

Battista says the Michaelangelo project site was attractive because the Bronx is currently securing the least amount of television and production work of all the boroughs. He believes that in addition to the production work on campus, television and film crews will find the diverse surrounding neighborhoods attractive venues for on-location shoots.