Kaufman Astoria Studios

What Kaufman Astoria Studios does

Kaufman Astoria Studios (KAS) is a historic, full-service film and television production facility located in Astoria, Queens, New York. Founded in 1920 as the original home of Paramount Pictures, the campus today spans 500,000+ square feet and comprises 11 sound stages (over 147,000 square feet, seven of which are column-free), production support facilities including carpentry shops, dressing rooms, makeup/hair/wardrobe rooms and prop storage, 65,000 square feet of commercial office space, and New York City's only outdoor working backlot. The studio is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has hosted major productions including Succession, Orange Is the New Black, Severance, Sesame Street, and The Devil Wears Prada 2.

KAS generates revenue by renting sound stages, production offices, backlot space, and ancillary services (lighting, grips, security, internet, cleaning) directly to film and television productions and commercial clients on short-term agreements ranging from days (commercials) to months (films) to 6-9 months (television series). All 11 stages qualify for New York's enhanced state film tax credit program, which materially alters the economics for productions choosing to film in New York. Customer segments are organized horizontally across film, television, commercial, and media-tenant clients, with the studio serving streamers (Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV+), broadcast networks (CBS, PBS), and major studios (Disney).

The business operates under a direct-sales model with relationship-based bookings on a single domestic site. In October 2023, KAS was acquired by Hackman Capital Partners and Square Mile Capital Management. The studio anchors the 24-block Kaufman Arts District and is a co-development partner (with Silverstein Properties and BedRock Real Estate Partners) in the $2 billion Innovation QNS mixed-use project expanding the cultural district across five adjacent blocks.

Name

Kaufman Astoria Studios

Legal name

Kaufman Astoria Studios

Website

https://kaufmanastoria.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kaufman Astoria Studios operates a 500,000+ sq ft historic film and television production campus in Queens, NY, with 11 sound stages, the city's only backlot, and production office space. It rents stages and services to streaming platforms, broadcast networks, major studios, and commercial productions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film and Television Production Facilities

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Studio Campus / Production Facility Operators (MPADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soundstage & Stage Rental (Film/TV) (MPADAIAA), Backlot & Exterior Lot Rental (MPADAIAB), Production Office Space & Support Facilities (MPADAIAD)

Keywords

• Film production facilities
• Sound stage rentals
• Television production studios
• Production support services
• Studio rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Astoria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Sound Stage Rentals: Rental of sound stages to film, television, and commercial productions. Short-term licenses/leases ranging from days (commercials) to months (films) to 6-9 months (TV shows). All stages qualify for New York state film tax credits.
2. Production Office Rentals: Rental of production offices to productions. Commercial office space targeted at media companies and creative services.
3. Equipment and Services: Revenue from renting equipment including lighting and grips, as well as services such as security, cleaning, internet, and phones. Costs can escalate with production overtime.
4. Backlot Usage: Rental and use of the outdoor backlot, the only studio backlot in New York City, for productions requiring outdoor settings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kaufman Astoria Studios rents out sound stages, production offices, support facilities, and New York City's only outdoor backlot to film, television, and commercial productions. The 500,000+ square foot campus in Astoria, Queens includes eleven sound stages totaling over 147,000 square feet, production offices, carpentry shops, dressing rooms, makeup/hair/wardrobe rooms, and ancillary services such as equipment rental, security, and internet. All stages qualify for New York State's enhanced film tax credit program.

Product overview

Kaufman Astoria Studios is a full-service film and television production facility offering eleven sound stages (147,000+ sq.ft., seven column-free), the city's only backlot, and comprehensive production support including carpentry shops, dressing rooms, makeup/hair, wardrobe, and offices. The portfolio includes individual stage products (Stage B, E, F, G, H, J, K, N, O) and The Lot (backlot), each with distinct specifications for power, ceiling height, and square footage. The studio anchors the Kaufman Arts District and partners on the $2 billion Innovation QNS mixed-use development. All stages qualify for New York State's enhanced film tax credit program, and the facility includes George's restaurant as an on-site amenity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sound Stages Eleven sound stages totaling over 147,000 square feet, seven of which are column-free, with sizes ranging from 4,000 to 26,040 square feet and ceiling heights up to 40 feet. Includes specialized stages such as Stage E (26,040 sq ft main stage with 40-foot walk-on grid), Stage N (16,049 sq ft with 6,600 AMPS power), Stage O (9,295 sq ft), Stage K (18,000 sq ft), Stage F (motorized lighting grid with Desisti self-climbing hoists), Stage B, Stage G, Stage H, and Stage J. All stages qualify for New York State's enhanced film tax credit program.
• The Lot (Backlot) New York City's only outdoor working backlot spanning 34,800 combined square feet (290' x 60' per section, combined 580' x 60'), with 400 A power. Provides a controlled outdoor environment adjacent to carpentry shops, production support facilities, dressing rooms, offices, and hair/makeup/wardrobe rooms.
• Production Support Facilities Comprehensive production support including carpentry shops, dressing rooms with full bathrooms, green rooms, wardrobe rooms, makeup and hair stations, prop storage, staging areas, catering and rehearsal spaces, and production offices. Available to all productions renting sound stages at the facility.
• Commercial Office Space 65,000 square feet of commercial office space in the new ONStage building, targeted at media companies and creative services firms. Features city views, balconies, and terraces on upper floors, with proximity to production facilities within the Kaufman Arts District.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported approximately 43,000 jobs each year and $7.6 billion statewide in spending according to Camoin Associates report
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Silverstein PropertiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2020Partnership with Silverstein Properties and BedRock to create Innovation QNS, a $2 billion mixed-use development on five blocks at Steinway Street and 35th Avenue. The plan includes 2,700 units of mixed-income housing (700 permanently affordable), 200,000 sq ft of neighborhood-serving businesses, 250,000 sq ft for creative industries, nearly two acres of open space, a new grammar school (600 seats), health/wellness facilities, arts hub, senior housing, multiplex cinema, and grocery store. Expected to create 5,400 on-site jobs and generate $50 million in local spending annually.
• BedRock Real Estate PartnersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2020Partnership with Kaufman Astoria Studios and Silverstein Properties for the Innovation QNS development project. BedRock is a real estate investment firm participating in the $2 billion development to expand the Kaufman Arts District.
• New York Film and Television Student Alliance (NYFTSA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 April 2015KAS hosts NYFTSA student visits and mentorship programs to foster relationships between film students and industry professionals. NYFTSA aims to nurture homegrown talent and encourage students to pursue careers in New York State. Ithaca College is founding member with chapters expanding statewide.
• Museum of the Moving ImagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2014Founding partner in establishing the Kaufman Arts District in 2014. Museum is located adjacent to KAS and is a key cultural anchor of the 24+ block arts district. Joint mission to advance the area as a world-class cultural destination and home for creative industries.
• Queens Council on the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2014Founding partner in establishing the Kaufman Arts District. Queens Council on the Arts works with KAS to promote and support the arts in Western Queens, contributing to the cultural renaissance of the area.
• Frank Sinatra School of the ArtscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2014Tony Bennett-founded arts school located across from KAS, part of the Kaufman Arts District. Represents commitment to arts education and community development. Exploring Arts organization moved from Midtown to KAS campus to be in Tony's hometown.
• Ithaca CollegeminorGTM or Marketing Partner14 film and television students from Ithaca College visited KAS as part of NYFTSA's inaugural trip to NYC. Students met with professionals from productions including Orange Is the New Black. NYFTSA formed in part to foster relationships between film students and industry leaders.
• GLUCK+ ArchitectscoreTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm designed the ONStage building addition to KAS. The new L-shaped building features two 40-foot tall, clear span, soundproof conditioned spaces 'plug-in' ready for production, with production offices, makeup/prop/dressing rooms, and commercial office space above.
• George's RestaurantminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-site restaurant (formerly The Astor Room) reopened in 2018 as George's in tribute to former chairman George Kaufman. Serves cast/crew and public, hosting events and private dining. Listed as top ten piano bar in NYC.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Universal Studios Lot: Major studio lot owned by NBCUniversal with extensive sound stages, backlot, and production infrastructure. Larger and more diversified than KAS but sets the standard benchmark for full-service studio campus operations in the US market.
• Warner Bros. Studios (Burbank/Leavesden): Warner Bros. operates major studio lots in Burbank and Leavesden (UK) with full-service sound stage, backlot, and production support capabilities. Comparable to KAS's full-service facility model but at much greater scale and vertical integration.

Regional players

• Trilith Studios: Large-scale purpose-built studio in Fayetteville, Georgia, the leading production hub in the Southeast US. Competes with KAS for North American film/TV production spend, benefiting from Georgia's film tax credit.
• Pinewood Studios: Iconic UK studio complex historically used for James Bond and major franchise films, now part of an expanded global studio platform. Comparable to KAS in serving big-budget productions, but UK-based with different tax credit regime.

Direct peers

• Steiner Studios: Major film/TV production facility at the Brooklyn Navy Yard with multiple sound stages and production support services. Closest direct peer to KAS in scale and customer base, serving HBO, Netflix, and other major NYC productions.
• Silvercup Studios: Long-standing film/TV production studio in Long Island City, Queens, operating multiple sound stages and production offices. Direct NYC competitor serving the same streamer, broadcast, and feature-film customers as Kaufman Astoria.
• Broadway Stages: Brooklyn-based independent studio operator with multiple sound stages across Greenpoint and other NYC locations. Competes directly with KAS for feature film, episodic TV, and commercial production rentals in the NYC market.
• Sunset Studios (Hudson Yards): Major studio complex developed by Tishman Speyer/Sunset Studios at Hudson Yards in Manhattan. Newer entrant adding significant stage capacity to the NYC market and directly competing for the same premium streamer and broadcast tenants as KAS.

Emerging players

• Cinecittà Studios: Historic Italian film studio in Rome undergoing major modernization and capacity expansion to serve international productions. Comparable as a heritage studio campus undergoing facility expansion to attract global streamer and feature-film tenants.

Others

• Paramount Studios (historical parent): KAS was originally the East Coast home of Paramount Pictures, founded in 1920 by Adolph Zukor. Paramount remains a peer through heritage and as a major studio customer, but the two no longer share ownership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kaufmanastoria
• Facebookfacebook.com/KaufmanAstoriaStudio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaufman-astoria-studios-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kaufman Astoria Studios