Image courtesy of Turner New York headquartered Turner Construction has won a contract from Togus Urban Renewal to build a 1.5m sq ft film and television studio in Bayonne, New Jersey.

1888 Studios will be a 17 building campus which includes sound stages, office spaces and workshop buildings where sets will be constructed and stored.

The site is located on a waterfront overlooking Staten Island and will be elevated to reduce the risk of future flooding.

2,000 jobs are expected to be created during construction and 2,000 – 3,000 full time roles will be available once the project is complete.

The studio’s name references the year the motion picture camera was invented, the world’s oldest surviving film “Roundhay Garden Scene” was created and also when Thomas Edison began experimenting with adding sound to moving images.

Larry Boresen, Turner’s vice president, said: “We are extremely excited to be part of the team that will transform this long under-utilised waterfront site in Bayonne. In addition to the positive economic benefit of the project for the community, I look forward to viewing the creative work that will be produced in these groundbreaking facilities.

“It will also be great to see members of the community having access to a revitalised waterfront park and promenade that will be part of the campus.”

Construction on the project is due to begin in the first quarter of 2023.