“SNL” star Colin Jost Staten Island Ferry He performed alongside former co-star Pete Davidson.
In 2022, Jost, 42, Davidson, 30, comedy club owner Paul Italia and developer Ron Castellano plan to buy the MV John F. Kennedy, a retired 1965 ferry, at a New York auction for $280,000 and turn it into New York's hottest nightclub.
In a recent interview People Magazine, Jost said he considers himself a “conservative” spender and that he regrets the investment.
“This is, hands down, the stupidest, most thoughtless purchase I've ever made in my life,” Jost told People magazine at the Tommy Hilfiger show during New York Fashion Week, which was held on board the ship.
Colin Jost spoke candidly about buying a Staten Island Ferry boat with Pete Davidson. (Getty)
He continued: “My justification for the amount I put into the purchase was that, on a basic square footage level, if you can find the right location, you're essentially buying a 65,000 square foot building, so in the New York area, that's a very reasonable price per square foot.”
Colin Jost and Pete Davidson ride the Staten Island Ferry they bought
Jost acknowledged there has been little movement to refurbish and operate the historic ferry in the two years since he developed the plan. Purchased at Davidson And Italy.
“This is without a doubt the stupidest, most ill-considered purchase I've ever made in my life.”
In an interview with People magazine, he explained that the three investors were too busy with full-time jobs on land to devote much time to the project.
“SNL” star Jost (left) purchased the ferry, which is set to be decommissioned in 2022. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Jost also noted that running a ship would require hiring staff, and he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to take on that responsibility.
A few months after purchasing it, the Staten Island native was photographed sailing out of the St. George Ferry Terminal for the first time, but he told People magazine that his partner's insurance company would likely be against any further reckless driving.
“They might be happy because they can get out of the contract,” Jost joked, “but it takes a lot of people to make it work.”
Jost said that when he told his wife Scarlett Johansson he was thinking about buying a boat, she reacted in disbelief. (Getty Images)
Jost said his wife, actress Scarlett Johansson, reacted in disbelief when he first told her he was thinking of buying a ferry, but has since changed his mind and believes he and his partners should make the most of it.
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“She was like, 'Wait a second, so you own this boat now?' That's a very legitimate question,” Jost said. “I think she obviously sees the value in it, but at the same time, she's like, 'This is a defining moment for you guys, and it's become interesting, so you better take it seriously and come up with the best version of it, because for better or worse, it's going to reflect on you guys.' We don't care, we're comedians.”
Castellano, the comedian's other partner in the project, said in a March interview that Ferry Converted into a floating hotel It has 24 rooms, 2 restaurants and 6 bars.
One of Jost's partners in the project said the historic ferry will be converted into a floating hotel. (Getty)
“There's a lot of stuff going into it,” Castellano told Curbed about the $34 million venue project.
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Castellano also said the ferry could be towed between New York and Miami.
“I think that's really still the plan. We don't have to stay in one place. We can move around, so we're looking at both locations,” he explained.
Colin Jost attends the Tommy Hilfiger RTW Spring 2025 collection presentation as part of New York Ready-to-Wear Fashion Week on board the retired Staten Island Ferry MV John F. Kennedy in New York City last week. (Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
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But Jost told People magazine he hopes the ferry's permanent home will remain in New York.
“It's very special to be on the water in New York,” Jost said. “Obviously, I'd love for it to stay here. I think it would be special to have it here in New York in some capacity, and I think it will be reinvented, but the spirit will remain the same.”
