Pier 59 Studios
Pier 59 Studios is a 110,000 sq ft premium multimedia production complex in Manhattan's Chelsea Piers, operating 11 studios and the Northeast's largest LED virtual production volume. Founded in 1995, it serves enterprise fashion, luxury, entertainment, and corporate event clients with turnkey studio rental, virtual production, equipment, and hospitality services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Pier 59 Studios does
Pier 59 Studios is a premium multimedia production facility headquartered at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, operating a 110,000 square foot single-tenant complex with 11 column-free studios ranging from 1,650 to 6,500 square feet. Founded in 1995 by Federico Pignatelli and operated under the Art and Fashion Group holding company, the studio serves enterprise clients in fashion and luxury (Vogue, Tom Ford, Gucci, Prada, Calvin Klein), entertainment and media (Netflix, HBO, CBS Sports, British Vogue, TIME Magazine), and corporate events (Braze, Cloudera, Chivas, Azuki). The core offering spans traditional photography and film studio rental, equipment and location services, turnkey virtual production anchored by the largest curved LED volume in the Northeast (Stage C with a 65-foot LED Megawall, 40-foot articulating ceiling, and Disguise RX III render nodes generating 200 teraflops), event venue hosting including New York Fashion Week, and integrated hospitality through Studio Café, The Deck, and Club59 NYC. In 2026, the company launched Megaverse Studios as a trademarked integrated ecosystem for virtual production, XR, and live events, alongside a new Commerce Division targeting modern e-commerce and creative campaign production.
Revenue is generated through quote-based, project-by-project rental of physical studio space, professional services for virtual production including real-time rendering and camera tracking, equipment rental both in-house and on-location, event venue bookings, and add-on modules including digital services, crew services, creative services, and talent representation through subsidiary Industry Model Management. The pricing model is opaque with no public rate cards, and all engagements are custom-quoted based on project requirements, studio selection, duration, and equipment needs. Customer acquisition relies on direct enterprise sales, industry reputation built over 30 years, portfolio credibility from marquee brand work, and participation in events like New York Fashion Week. Technology partnerships with Disguise, Brompton, Stype, Unreal Engine, and Quasar Science form the integrated virtual production stack, while the company operates without external institutional investment, remaining founder-controlled under Art and Fashion Group.
Pier 59 Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pier 59 Studios
- Legal name
- Pier59 Studios LLC
- Website
- https://pier59studios.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Pier 59 Studios is a 110,000 sq ft premium multimedia production complex in Manhattan's Chelsea Piers, operating 11 studios and the Northeast's largest LED virtual production volume. Founded in 1995, it serves enterprise fashion, luxury, entertainment, and corporate event clients with turnkey studio rental, virtual production, equipment, and hospitality services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pier 59 Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Photography and Film Production Studios
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Commercial Photography (541922), Photographic Services (54192)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Studio Campus / Production Facility Operators (MPADAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Studios, Stages & Location Services (Facilities, Location Scouting/Permits) (MPAAAMAG), Camera, Grip & Lighting Equipment Rental (MPADAFAB), Venue Facilities, Maintenance & Capital Projects (Engineering, Renovations) (MPAGALAL), Event Technical Production Management & Crew (MPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where Pier 59 Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pier 59 Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Studio Rental: Rental of 11 versatile, column-free studios including natural daylight and blackout options for photography, film, and events.
- Virtual Production Services: Turnkey virtual production services including LED volume stages, real-time rendering, camera tracking, and technical support for in-camera final-pixel capture.
- Equipment Rental: Rental of extensive in-house equipment inventory including lighting, grip, digital, and production supplies.
- Location Services: On-location delivery of lighting, grip, and production supplies with new equipment from Aputure, Astera, Litegear, Litepanels, ARRI, Briese, Profoto, and Broncolor.
- Events Venue Rental: 110,000 square feet of customizable event space for corporate events, conferences, fashion shows, and private gatherings.
- Hospitality and Catering: On-site restaurant, catering services, Studio Café, The Deck outdoor space, and Club59 NYC lounge.
- Commerce Division: New production service offering packaging studio space, equipment, and services for modern creative campaigns.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based premium studio and production services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Pier 59 Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pier 59 Studios operates a 110,000-square-foot multimedia production complex in Manhattan's Chelsea district, offering 11 column-free photography and film studios, virtual production stages anchored by the Northeast's largest 65-foot curved LED Megawall, customizable event spaces, and integrated hospitality. The studio rents physical studio space, equipment, and in-house crew, and delivers turnkey virtual production services using Unreal Engine, Disguise render nodes, Stype camera tracking, and Brompton video processing for in-camera final-pixel capture by fashion, entertainment, advertising, and corporate clients.
Product overview
PIER59 Studios operates a comprehensive multimedia production complex offering both physical studio facilities and virtual production technology. The portfolio spans eleven versatile studios (Stage C, Studios 1-10) for photography, filmmaking, and events; Megaverse Studios™ as the branded virtual production ecosystem; the new Commerce Division for modern campaign production; and integrated hospitality services. The core offering centers on virtual production capabilities including the Northeast's largest LED Megawall in Stage C, supplemented by equipment rental, digital, crew, creative, and talent services. The company positions itself as a turnkey solution for brands seeking to blend physical and digital production needs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Megaverse Studios™: A trademarked integrated ecosystem for virtual production, XR, and live events, featuring the largest curved LED screen in the Northeast.
- Megaverse Studios™
- Club59 NYC
- The Deck
- Studio Café
Products and services
- Stage C Virtual Production Stage A 6,500 sq ft column-free virtual production stage with the Northeast's largest curved LED volume, 65-foot LED Megawall with over 25 million pixels, 40-foot articulating LED ceiling, and 5300+ lumens brightness, for fashion, advertising, film, and broadcast clients.
- Photography and Filmmaking Studios (Studios 1-10) Nine versatile photography and filmmaking studios ranging from 1,650 sq ft to 4,150 sq ft, offering natural daylight, semi-daylight, and blackout configurations with cycloramas, skylights, and customizable layouts for editorial, commercial, and cinematic shoots.
- Studio 2 Semi-Daylight Studio A 2,800 sq ft semi-daylight studio with a 20'x11.5' High FPS LED Wall (1.9mm pixel pitch), 3-wall 2-corner cyclorama, and north-facing windows for fashion and advertising shoots.
- LED Megawall Virtual Production Environment The largest LED volume in the Northeast, featuring a 65-foot curved LED screen, 30'x10' articulating LED ceiling, four 5'x12' mobile LED wild walls, Brompton video processing, and 2.6mm pixel pitch for high-resolution in-camera final-pixel capture.
- Virtual Production Services Full-service virtual production offerings including production evaluation, asset sourcing and optimization, virtual art department services, lighting and practical set design, and post-production support for in-camera final-pixel capture.
- Megaverse Studios™ Integrated Ecosystem A trademarked fully integrated ecosystem for virtual production, extended reality (XR), and live events that unifies LED volume stages, real-time rendering, XR capabilities, and event production services under one coordinated system.
- Commerce Division Production Services New production service packaging studio space, equipment, and services for modern creative campaigns with flexible layouts, logistical support, and infrastructure designed for faster, leaner teams.
- Event Spaces and Venue Rental 110,000 sq ft of customizable event venue space including 11 modular studios, covered outdoor decks, and open-air spaces with Hudson River views, equipped with Disguise-powered LED systems, livestreaming capabilities, and whole-house audio for corporate events, conferences, fashion shows, and brand activations.
- Location Services (On-Location Equipment Rental) Equipment rental and delivery services for on-location shoots, providing lighting, grip, and production supplies from Aputure, Astera, Litegear, Litepanels, ARRI, Briese, Profoto, and Broncolor, available 7 days a week.
- Hospitality Services Curated hospitality offerings including Studio Café with Italian-Tuscan cuisine by Executive Chef Juan Diaz, full catering services, The Deck outdoor venue with Hudson River views, and Club59 NYC networking lounge.
Quantifiable outcome
- Multiple 'locations' captured in single days without travel or weather dependencies
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Pier 59 Studios
Customer profileNamed customers24 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pier 59 Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability4 records
Feature10 records
Pier 59 Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DisguisecoreMajor upgrade to Virtual Production infrastructure integrating RX III render nodes from Disguise, enhancing real-time 3D in-camera production capabilities. This integration provides greater reliability, cost savings, and efficiency by reducing travel, logistical complexity, and budget overruns through a controlled production environment.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pier 59 Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Silvercup Studios: Long Island City, NY studio complex with multiple stages and production services, serving film/TV/entertainment clients in the NYC metro—most directly comparable geographic and operational peer to Pier 59's multi-stage campus model.
- NantStudios: El Segundo, CA virtual production facility featuring massive LED volumes (Stage 1, 2, 3); directly comparable in its VP-centric offering and enterprise entertainment/luxury clientele.
- Steiner Studios: Brooklyn Navy Yard studio operator offering multiple soundstages, production offices, and backlot space; comparable NYC-area large-scale film/TV studio campus competing for similar enterprise and streaming clients.
- Kaufman Astoria Studios: Historic NYC soundstage and production facility offering stages, production offices, and virtual production capabilities—directly competes for NYC-based film, TV, and commercial production work.
Broad incumbents
- NEP Group: Global broadcast and live event production services provider with virtual production capabilities; broad incumbent competing for high-end broadcast, sports, and live event work that Pier 59 services (e.g., CBS Sports).
- Sunset Las Palmas Studios: Major Hollywood studio complex with multiple stages, virtual production services, and high-end commercial clientele; larger LA-based incumbent competing for premium advertising and entertainment production budgets.
- Trilith Studios: Large Georgia studio campus with extensive soundstage capacity and virtual production infrastructure; broad incumbent competing for major film/TV productions that increasingly migrate outside NYC.
Others
- ARRI: Major cinema technology manufacturer and rental supplier; not a direct competitor but an adjacent technology partner/supplier whose cameras and lighting Pier 59 uses and offers to clients.
Regional players
- Brooklyn Stages: New York-based soundstage and production facility operator serving commercial and film clients in the NYC metro; regional peer competing for adjacent production work within the same geography.
Emerging players
- Vū Studios: Network of virtual production studios across multiple U.S. cities offering LED volume rentals and VP services; emerging peer focused exclusively on the same in-camera VFX niche Pier 59 targets with Megaverse.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pier 59 Studios social profiles
Digital presencePier 59 Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pier 59 Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Pier 59 Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pier 59 Studios M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pier 59 Studios
What does Pier 59 Studios do?
Pier 59 Studios operates a 110,000-square-foot multimedia production complex in Manhattan's Chelsea district, offering 11 column-free photography and film studios, virtual production stages anchored by the Northeast's largest 65-foot curved LED Megawall, customizable event spaces, and integrated hospitality. The studio rents physical studio space, equipment, and in-house crew, and delivers turnkey virtual production services using Unreal Engine, Disguise render nodes, Stype camera tracking, and Brompton video processing for in-camera final-pixel capture by fashion, entertainment, advertising, and corporate clients.
Is Pier 59 Studios a public or private company?
Pier 59 Studios is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Pier 59 Studios founded?
Pier 59 Studios was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Pier 59 Studios based?
Pier 59 Studios is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pier 59 Studios make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Studio Rental is the primary driver. The others are virtual Production Services, equipment Rental, location Services, events Venue Rental, hospitality and Catering and commerce Division.
Who are Pier 59 Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Silvercup Studios, NantStudios, Steiner Studios and Kaufman Astoria Studios. Broad incumbents are NEP Group, Sunset Las Palmas Studios and Trilith Studios. ARRI is listed as an others. Brooklyn Stages is listed as a regional player. Vū Studios is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pier 59 Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pier 59 Studios.
What industry is Pier 59 Studios in?
Pier 59 Studios's product category is Photography and Film Production Studios. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAIAC, Studio Campus / Production Facility Operators, with a secondary code of MPAAAMAG, Studios, Stages & Location Services (Facilities, Location Scouting/Permits). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.