The developer behind a new production studio planned for Bushwick is seeking approval from the city for a larger building than is typically allowed, records show.
Manhattan-based real estate firm Bungalow Projects recently submitted paperwork to the Department of City Planning for a 215,340-square-foot development slated for 242 Seigel St., which has an alternate address listed at 215 Moore St. Bungalow does not say in the paperwork how much it projects the building will cost.
Led by founding partners Susi Yu and Travis Feehan, Bungalow is seeking clearance from the city to modify certain regulations in accordance with Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Economic Opportunity plan, according to information from the application. City of Yes for Economic Opportunity was approved last year by the City Council and loosens the zoning rules that govern businesses. If approved, the building’s permitted height would rise in some sections to 45 feet, up from the 30 allowed, and to 65 feet, up from 60, in others, according to the application.
The proposed project, which would include six soundstages to allow for three simultaneous productions, would also include a 19,000-square-foot space for on-site set assembly, 9,000 square feet for dressing rooms, 2,000 square feet for hair and makeup, and 50,000 square feet of offices and writer’s suites on the upper floors, the application says. It would also include 230 parking spaces across 87,000 square feet.
The Big Apple is the second-most-popular filming location in the country, just below Los Angeles, according to information from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. In 2022, 180 television series and 86 films were shot in the city, according to information from the city. Bungalow said in its application that some productions were turned away due to the lack of high-end soundstages, and it is now looking to fill in that void.
Bungalow acquired the development site, which spans four separate tax lots in an area bounded by Moore, White and Seigel streets and Bushwick Avenue, for about $52 million last year as part of a multiparcel acquisition in the industrial neighborhood, city records show.
The project would create about 500 jobs over 28 months of construction and then support between 1,200 and 1,500 full-time jobs, according to the application.
Bungalow, which is also working on a second production studio, planned for 145 Wolcott St. in Red Hook, did not return a request for comment. Both projects are expected to be completed in 2027.
