important Television Studios has leased space at Manhattan's new Sunset Pier 94 Studios for production on Showtime's Dexter: Resurrection Season 2. The deal makes this the first project to film there as the studio opens later this month. The production will use 70,000 square feet across two sound stages and office areas at the 266,000-square-foot facility on the Hudson River.
Background
Sunset Pier 94 Studios sits on Pier 94 at 54th Street and 12th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. This spot used to hold events and storage but now turns into the city's first purpose-built film and TV studio campus. Developers Vornado Realty Trust, Hudson Pacific Properties, and Blackstone worked with the City of New York and the New York City Economic Development Corporation to make it happen. They invested around $350 million to build the site.
The studio covers 5.4 acres with six sound stages up to 20,000 square feet each and 36-foot clear heights. It also has 145,000 square feet of support space like production suites, executive offices, writers' rooms, conference areas, a mill, greenrooms, and hair and makeup rooms. High-speed fiber internet and other tech support modern shows. Gensler Architects designed the project with river views and top amenities.
New York has seen more film and TV work lately. Production spending in the city rose 25% over the past two years. The state budget now offers up to $700 million a year in tax credits for shows, up from $420 million. This growth created a need for more studio space, and Sunset Pier 94 fills that gap right in the heart of Manhattan. The location sits close to outdoor spots like Times Square, making it easy for crews to shoot around the city.
The project adds public benefits too. It includes new restrooms for Hudson River Park, an 1,850-square-foot community space, and 25,000 square feet of open waterfront area with pier access. Walkways connect to Clinton Cove Park. The studio aims for LEED Gold and Fitwel certifications and plans to run on 100% renewable energy. It will also offer training programs to link local residents to jobs in film and TV.
Key Details
Dexter: Resurrection follows the original Dexter series, which ran from 2006 to 2013. A revival called Dexter: New Blood aired in 2021 and 2022. Season 2 of Resurrection picks up from there with Michael C. Hall back as Dexter Morgan. important Television Studios, part of the team behind the show, signed the lease for this production.
Studio Layout and Production Space
The facility has sound stages from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, each with production control rooms. Dexter: Resurrection takes two of them plus office space, totaling 70,000 square feet. The rest of the campus leaves room for other tenants. Ample parking on site helps crews, and the secure setup keeps things private off the West Side Highway.
Sales contacts for the studio are at SP94Sales@SunsetStudios.com or (332) 334-6005. The site promotes itself as ready for episodic TV, live audience shows, and movies. Its midtown spot means quick access to talent, crew, and city locations.
“We are thrilled to bring Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 to Sunset Pier 94 Studios, Manhattan’s first purpose-built production space,” said a important Television Studios spokesperson.
The pier structure includes a pier shed and headhouse. Roofs reach up to 66 feet, with ground level at 8 feet and parking below. Signage plans cover banners and identifiers totaling over 3,700 square feet.
What This Means
This lease shows confidence in New York's growing role in TV production. With studios like this, more shows can film locally instead of leaving for places like Atlanta or Los Angeles. It keeps jobs and money in the city—millions each year from projects like Dexter.
For Dexter fans, filming in Manhattan could mean episodes with real city backdrops. The Hudson River views and nearby parks might appear on screen. The studio's tech and size support big productions, so Season 2 could wrap faster with everything on site.
The opening aligns with rising demand. Other shows may follow Dexter here, filling the remaining stages. Local workers gain steady gigs in a tough industry. Community spaces and green goals make the project fit the neighborhood.
New York leaders pushed this to boost the economy. Tax credits draw more work, and spots like Pier 94 handle the load. Productions get city energy without long drives. For the studio, landing a high-profile show like Dexter right away builds buzz and attracts others.
The deal highlights shifts in where TV gets made. Cities like New York compete with tax breaks and new builds. Sunset Pier 94 puts Manhattan on the map for sound stages, not just exteriors. Crews save time hopping between locations. This could spark more investments in media infrastructure across the boroughs.
