Wildflower Studios: A Vertical Film Studio in Queens

In urban environments where space is at a premium, a new venture has emerged: Wildflower Studios.

Opened in December 2024 in Astoria, Queens, this production facility showcases 11 soundstages, creatively stacked on the third floor.

Marketed as the world’s first “vertical film studio,” it represents a bold $1 billion investment in New York City’s entertainment sector, offering a model for producing films and TV shows even in densely populated regions.

Adam Gordon, the main developer of this project, along with his Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, emphasized the importance of “creating permanent jobs for this incredible industry in New York City.” Their key backer, Robert De Niro, shared similar sentiments.

Rosenthal mentioned to NY that throughout her extensive experience in various studio environments—from traditional soundstages to alternative locations—what has consistently been absent in New York is dedicated spaces tailored by creatives for fellow creatives.

Interestingly, before stepping into this realm, Gordon, a 64-year-old real estate mogul, wasn’t particularly known in the film industry.

De Niro, a New York film icon, is a significant advocate for Wildflower Studios. In the project’s initial phases, he encouraged Gordon and his son, Rafael, to tour studios across the country to gather insights on their strengths and weaknesses.

Gordon’s company, also called Wildflower, began in 2017 and has notably partnered with Amazon, supplying storage and logistics solutions in the metropolitan area.

However, the demand for studio space extended beyond just e-commerce interests.

“We had lots of inquiries about renting space for film projects,” Gordon recounted. This led him to approach De Niro—friends for years through their children—and inquire if there was a genuine business opportunity for film stars.

The legendary actor has long wished for a dedicated studio space since production facilities have often been insufficient, forcing creatives to settle for makeshift locations or travel as far as New Jersey or Atlanta.

The project, initiated in 2019, involved De Niro sending Gordon and Rafael on a studio tour across the U.S., stopping at notable places in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

“I was taken aback by how little thought had been put into these spaces,” Gordon reflected. Their findings culminated in a vision for a high-performance film studio—efficient, artistic, and enjoyable.

The design, crafted by renowned architect Bjarke Ingels, was meticulously approached. They conducted numerous interviews with industry professionals, particularly Teamsters, to gather insights that had previously gone unasked, resulting in a comprehensive understanding of what works best for film sets.

According to Ingels, designing the studio felt like solving a three-dimensional puzzle, striving to incorporate all essential requirements while imbuing it with a distinct New York character.

The entire endeavor took about five years and required a staggering $1 billion investment. Spanning 765,000 square feet, the facility is expansive, even featuring its own navigation app.

Ingels aimed for a raw aesthetic using galvanized steel and concrete, inspired by witnessing friends working under quite poor conditions.

Each of the 11 soundstages, some fitted with cutting-edge virtual reality spaces, is interconnected by internal streets wide enough for box trucks, complemented by an impressive network of elevators—six of which are designed to handle substantial loads.

A unique feature is the truck-sized turntable, inspired by Jay Leno’s garage, which facilitates easy maneuvering for Teamsters at the loading dock, along with a dedicated lounge for them to relax rather than wait outside.

Every stage is designed to maximize functionality, maintaining uniform sizes for dressing rooms to avoid conflicts over space.

“You don’t need to travel far for resources,” says Gordon. He estimates that Wildflower improves production efficiency by roughly 20-30%.

The studio employs a collaborative “Hollywood inbox” approach, centralizing post-production facilities, office spaces, and culinary services.

Gordon pointed out the importance of a thoughtful design, acknowledging that filmmaking can often be stressful. “There’s a lot of psychology in design here,” he noted.

He claims that Wildflower is “the most sustainable film studio in the world,” featuring solar panels across 150,000 square feet and a system that regularly infuses fresh air into the workspace.

While details of current projects remain confidential, Gordon did disclose that the first scene filmed at Wildflower was part of a second season for a CBS comedy-drama set in NYC.

In addition to that, there are a variety of feature films and commercials shooting within the studio, with seven stages already booked for May.

This is just the beginning.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced proposed enhancements to New York’s film tax credit, aiming for approval in Congress. If successful, this program could extend until 2036.

With the increased incentives for filmmakers, more artists—especially those on smaller budgets—may soon benefit from what Wildflower has to offer.

As Rosenthal stated, “Finally, Wildflower will provide the city with a world-class production home that it deserves.”