One of the most ambitious redevelopment projects in New Jersey is now moving forward along the Jersey Shore. Streaming giant Netflix is transforming the former Fort Monmouth Army base into a massive film and television production campus that could become one of the largest studio complexes on the East Coast.
The project, known as Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth, will redevelop approximately 292 acres of the former military installation spanning Eatontown and Oceanport in Monmouth County.
With an expected investment of roughly $1 billion, the development represents one of the most significant private redevelopment initiatives in the state in recent years.
From Army Base to Production Studio Campus
Fort Monmouth served as a major U.S. Army communications and electronics research installation for decades before closing in 2011.
Since then, the site has been gradually redeveloped under the oversight of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority, which has worked to attract new investment and repurpose the large former military campus.
Netflix’s acquisition of the so-called “Mega Parcel” represents the largest single redevelopment effort on the property to date.
The company finalized the purchase of the site for approximately $55 million, paving the way for construction of the new studio campus.
Plans for a Major East Coast Production Hub
Once complete, the Netflix studio campus will include:
- 12 purpose-built soundstages
- roughly 500,000 square feet of production space
- post-production and editing facilities
- offices and support buildings
- backlot filming areas and production infrastructure.
The campus is expected to serve as a major East Coast production hub, allowing Netflix to film and produce television series and movies closer to the New York metropolitan market.
The development reflects a broader shift within the entertainment industry, where studios are increasingly building production capacity outside of California.
Construction and Phased Development
Redevelopment of the Fort Monmouth site is a multi-year effort.
Initial work has focused on demolishing dozens of aging military buildings across the property to prepare the site for new construction.
Following demolition and infrastructure upgrades, vertical construction of the studio facilities is expected to begin, with the first phases of the campus projected to open between 2027 and 2028.
Because of the scale of the project, development will likely occur in phases over several years.
Economic Impact for New Jersey
State officials view the project as a major step in positioning New Jersey as a competitive hub for film and television production.
The development is supported by the state’s film and digital media tax credit program, which provides incentives for studios producing content in New Jersey.
These incentives were a key factor in Netflix’s decision to invest in the Fort Monmouth site.
Once operational, the studio campus is expected to generate thousands of construction jobs and more than a thousand permanent production jobs, while supporting additional economic activity across the region.
Local officials also anticipate new demand for nearby hotels, restaurants, and creative services as film production activity increases.
A Major Redevelopment for Monmouth County
For Monmouth County, the Netflix studio represents one of the most significant redevelopment projects in decades.
The transformation of the former military base into a major media production campus illustrates how large institutional sites can be repositioned for new industries.
If the project proceeds as planned, the Fort Monmouth campus could become a centerpiece of New Jersey’s growing film and television production sector.
Final Thoughts
The development of Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth highlights the growing intersection between media production and large-scale real estate redevelopment.
As streaming platforms continue expanding global production capacity, purpose-built studio campuses are becoming an increasingly important form of commercial real estate.
For New Jersey, the Fort Monmouth project represents both a major redevelopment milestone and an opportunity to strengthen the state’s role in the evolving entertainment industry.
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