Entire floors of the historic skyscraper have been transformed into fully realized law offices, department stores, hospitals, or whatever a script demands. The mezzanine level alone has been used in more than a dozen major productions. Producers and location managers have praised the facility for its ease of access, adaptable infrastructure, and authentic urban backdrop—qualities that have turned first-time visitors into repeat clients.

But Newark Film Studios isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s become a critical piece of New Jersey’s fast-growing production infrastructure and a key driver of the city’s creative economy. The studio has helped generate hundreds of local jobs and created demand for nearby restaurants, vendors, and small businesses. Now, it’s preparing to scale its impact even further.

Dabbah and his team are developing a massive 150-acre production campus in Neptune City, just minutes from Netflix’s forthcoming studio complex in Monmouth County. The purpose-built campus will feature state-of-the-art soundstages, mill and production office space, short- and long-term housing, and a potential hotel component—designed to meet the evolving needs of high-volume episodic and feature productions.

“The Newark location has shown us what’s possible. With our new Neptune City campus, we’re scaling that vision—creating a true production ecosystem that can meet the demands of modern filmmaking,” said Dabbah.

The expansion is supported in part by partnerships with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the state’s Aspire Program, both of which offer some of the most competitive production incentives in the United States. Under current legislation, New Jersey offers up to 35% in tax credits on qualified production expenses, with additional bonuses for projects that hire locally and shoot in designated opportunity zones.

“The support from the NJEDA, and especially from David Schoner, has been instrumental,” Dabbah added. “David’s tireless advocacy and deep understanding of the industry have helped position New Jersey as not just film-friendly, but film-serious.”

As production volume in New Jersey continues to climb—with major players like Netflix, Lionsgate, and Lionsgate Newark Studios anchoring ambitious projects across the state—facilities like Newark Film Studios are proving that cinematic scale can come from historic roots. For Dabbah, it’s about more than just rolling cameras.

“This studio isn’t just about making movies — it’s about creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and turning Newark into a creative engine for the region.”