Netflix’s ambitious $903 million production studio at the historic Fort Monmouth site continues to move from ceremony toward reality. The former U.S. Army base, spanning 289 acres across Eatontown and Oceanport, officially broke ground on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. That day, state, county, and entertainment leaders gathered to mark the start of what will become one of New Jersey’s most transformative infrastructure projects.
At the groundbreaking, Governor Phil Murphy remarked,
“With Netflix and New Jersey working together, one thing is certain: there are no limits to what we can achieve.”
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, born at Monmouth Medical Center, added,
“New Jersey’s film and television industry has never been stronger—and today marks yet another leap forward.”
Sarandos also highlighted Netflix’s broader economic impact, noting that the company has contributed $125 billion to the U.S. economy over the past four years and has hired more than 140,000 cast and crew members.
“And we’re excited to continue our investment in the U.S. and New Jersey in the coming years,” he said.
In September 2025, Netflix unveiled new renderings of the Fort Monmouth campus, showcasing a refined design with twelve state-of-the-art soundstages totaling nearly 500,000 square feet, restored historic buildings such as Vail Hall, landscaped public plazas, and a clear phase-by-phase site layout.
Since the groundbreaking, demolition of obsolete base infrastructure has been underway, with work expected to continue into early 2026. Local planning bodies in Oceanport and Eatontown have also cleared key portions of the first construction phase, allowing Netflix to advance toward vertical building.
The plans call for 12 soundstages that will span nearly 500,000 square feet. Along with the soundstages, the complex will include production offices, a hotel, retail shops, a theater, helipad, water tanks for filming, and dedicated spaces for crew and talent, including a campus for production teams. Netflix’s vision is to create a cutting-edge environment for both work and leisure, offering a complete set of amenities designed to support large-scale film and television productions.
Revitalizing New Jersey Film Industry
Governor Phil Murphy’s administration has voiced strong support for the project, seeing it as a key step toward revitalizing the state’s film industry. “New Jersey was the birthplace of film, and this studio could position us as the ‘Hollywood of the East,’” said Murphy in a statement at the groundbreaking. With its focus on innovation, the development aims to create jobs and economic opportunities, with an expected value of between $3.8 billion and $4.6 billion for New Jersey’s economy over the next 20 years.
Construction Phases
The construction will take place in two distinct phases. The first phase will focus on the McAfee Zone in Oceanport, a 29-acre site that will feature the first four soundstages and core production facilities. In August, Eatontown’s planning board is expected to review Netflix’s proposal for the second phase, which will include the remaining eight soundstages. Once fully operational, the studio is projected to create 1,400 permanent jobs and up to 3,500 temporary construction jobs.
The development has been a long time coming. Netflix first announced its plans in December 2022, and since then, the company has navigated a lengthy approval process. The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) played a crucial role by modifying zoning regulations to allow the development of a film production complex on the property. The site, known for its role in the development of FM radio, has been vacant for more than a decade.
Local residents and officials raised concerns about traffic, noise, and environmental impacts during the approval process, but FMERA addressed these issues before granting approval. As construction progresses, further concerns will be handled by municipal planning boards. Development will need to respect the historic nature of the site, particularly the preserved parade grounds, a condition set by FMERA.
Financial Incentives
To make this project a reality, Netflix will benefit from significant financial incentives, including a $150 million tax incentive pool and the potential for a 40% tax credit in exchange for committing to operate at the site for at least 10 years. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is overseeing these incentives.
The timeline for the studio’s opening has not yet been set, but planning documents indicate that both phases of the construction must be completed within eight years from the deal closure with FMERA.
Just across the Hudson, New York City is seeing its own surge in film infrastructure. In Brooklyn, Bungalow Projects and Bain Capital Real Estate are developing Echelon Studios — two sustainable production campuses in Bushwick and Red Hook totaling about 600,000 square feet. Backed by $304 million in financing, the projects feature ten soundstages, modern support spaces, and LEED Gold, all-electric designs. Completion is slated for mid-2027, with about 2,400 jobs expected.
Read also: Hanover Hollywood, a New Mixed Use Complex Unveiled in California
Netflix Fort Monmouth Production Studio Complex
Project Overview
Investment: $903 million
Location: Fort Monmouth (former U.S. Army base), spanning Eatontown and Oceanport in Monmouth County, NJ
Total Area: 289 acres
Project Announcement: December 2022
Construction Start: May 2025
Completion Deadline: Within 8 years of FMERA deal closure
Facility Specifications
Soundstages: 12 total (nearly 500,000 square feet)
Additional Facilities:
Production offices
Hotel
Retail shops
Theater
Helipad
Water tanks for filming
Dedicated spaces for crew and talent
Production team campus
Netflix’s Fort Monmouth Studio Construction: Economic Impact
Projected Value: $3.8-4.6 billion to NJ economy over 20 years
Job Creation:
1,400 permanent jobs
Up to 3,500 temporary construction jobs
Financial Incentives:
$150 million tax incentive pool
Potential 40% tax credit (with 10-year operational commitment)
Development Timeline
Phase 1
Location: McAfee Zone in Oceanport (29 acres)
Features: First 4 soundstages and core production facilities
Status: Groundbreaking ceremony Held on Tuesday, May 13 with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and state officials
Phase 2
Features: Remaining 8 soundstages
Status: Awaiting Eatontown planning board review (expected August 2025)
Project Background
Site has been vacant for over a decade
Fort Monmouth historically significant for FM radio development
FMERA modified zoning to permit film production complex
Development must respect historic parade grounds
Project viewed as key to revitalizing NJ’s film industry
Governor Phil Murphy supports positioning NJ as “Hollywood of the East”
Oversight
Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA)
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (tax incentives)
Municipal planning boards (ongoing development concerns)
Read also: Netflix production facility to be developed in New Jersey
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