De Niro-backed Wildflower Studios gets green light

Wildflower Studios’ construction is moving forward, developers announced.  Rendering via Wildflower Ltd./Bjarke Ingels Group/SYNOSIS

By Rachel Vick

A Robert De Niro-backed film production studio in Astoria received the okay from the Department of Buildings last month.

Wildflower Studios, first introduced in 2019, will feature 497,000 square feet of sound stages and production space on the edge of 19th Street and Luyster Creek.

“We have a little bit of an affinity for this part of Queens… we’re excited to be doing this project given what the city has gone through over the past 18 months; we think timing couldn't be better in terms of job creation,” said developer Raphael De Niro, the actor’s son, during a land use hearing last year.

Though the foundation work began in 2020, DOB issued new building permits for the actual four-story structure on Jan. 25.

Developers expect about 500 construction jobs during the full build and around 1,000 workers a day once the studio is up and running.

The $600-million project will include a carpentry studio, dressing rooms and offices, in addition to soundstages and waterfront access for the public.

"While New York City is no stranger to being the star of many visual stories — the city effectively a character in itself — this... complex marks a new chapter in the city's ability to create the stories of our future,” said Bjarke Ingels Group Founder and Creative Director Bjarke Ingels.

The project has received support from the local community — Community Board 1approved the plan with a vote of 35 to 1 last year.