York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

Large-scale $100M Development along Bronx Riverfront
York Studios Michaelangelo Campus

South Bronx

Quick Look
Construction of a new, NYS-qualified motion picture and television production facility. We arranged $33M in incentives and $26.5M in construction financing.
York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

Large-scale $100M Development along Bronx Riverfront
York Studios Michaelangelo Campus

South Bronx

Challenge No. 1

Our client’s multi-phase expansion in the Bronx presented multiple site-related challenges initially complicating funding, including construction risk, collateral issues, and the speculative nature of the project and its location. Skeptics of the initiative cited the fact that the project site, which exhibited environmental issues, had been vacant for 20+years.

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

Large-scale $100M Development along Bronx Riverfront
York Studios Michaelangelo Campus

South Bronx

Challenge No. 2

The owners could not guarantee continuing access to the NYS tax credit program for film production. In addition, it was paramount that cash be preserved to fund Phase II predevelopment and infrastructure costs.

“ThinkForward remained at our side for years…they saw this project through, playing a significant role in making it a reality.”
JOHN KALAFATIS, CFO
York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

Large-scale $100M Development along Bronx Riverfront
York Studios Michaelangelo Campus

South Bronx

Solutions
  1. ThinkForward developed a comprehensive business plan, commissioned market/demographic studies, and outlined numerous financing strategies.
  2.  We analyzed the viability of several financing options, from conventional construction, EB-5, and SBA loans to Empire State subsidized loans and bank loan options. Significantly, we reinvestigated each option as our client progressed through the development plan.  
  3. We ultimately procured the construction-to-permanent loan, with very favorable terms, which ensured that the project would be on track for completion.
  4. The financing package also included significant tax benefits.
Best Solution
  • $26.5M construction to permanent loan
  • $1.2M NYS grant
  • $33M NYCIDA incentives

We investigated each option as our client progressed through the development plan.    

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

Large-scale $100M Development along Bronx Riverfront
York Studios Michaelangelo Campus

South Bronx

Results

Our close relationship with the NYC Industrial Development Agency, as well as our familiarity with the complex application and approval processes, were assets to York Studios. We successfully guided our client through the transaction, ensuring an efficient and smooth closing process.

Backgorund

York Studios, Inc. owns and operates NYS qualified motion picture and television production facilities in New York City. The company’s multi-phase expansion in the Bronx represents the first major film production studio project in the borough.

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York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

real estate development
new construction

Large-scale $100M Development along Bronx Riverfront
York Studios Michaelangelo Campus

South Bronx

Our client’s multi-phase expansion in the Bronx presented multiple site-related challenges initially complicating funding, including construction risk, collateral issues, and the speculative nature of the project and its location. Skeptics of the initiative cited the fact that the project site, which exhibited environmental issues, had been vacant for 20+years.

The owners could not guarantee continuing access to the NYS tax credit program for film production. In addition, it was paramount that cash be preserved to fund Phase II predevelopment and infrastructure costs.

  • $26.5M construction to permanent loan
  • $1.2M NYS grant
  • $33M NYCIDA incentives

We investigated each option as our client progressed through the development plan.    

  1. ThinkForward developed a comprehensive business plan, commissioned market/demographic studies, and outlined numerous financing strategies.
  2.  We analyzed the viability of several financing options, from conventional construction, EB-5, and SBA loans to Empire State subsidized loans and bank loan options. Significantly, we reinvestigated each option as our client progressed through the development plan.  
  3. We ultimately procured the construction-to-permanent loan, with very favorable terms, which ensured that the project would be on track for completion.
  4. The financing package also included significant tax benefits.

Our close relationship with the NYC Industrial Development Agency, as well as our familiarity with the complex application and approval processes, were assets to York Studios. We successfully guided our client through the transaction, ensuring an efficient and smooth closing process.

Projects

York Studios (Michaelangelo Campus)

Film & TV Studio Production (New Facility)

$51,000,000

Quick Look

Construction of a new, NYS-qualified motion picture and television production facility. We arranged $33M in incentives and $26.5M in construction financing.

“ThinkForward remained at our side for years…they saw this project through, playing a significant role in making it a reality.”

JOHN KALAFATIS, CFO

Challenge No. 1

Our client’s multi-phase expansion in the Bronx presented multiple site-related challenges initially complicating funding, including construction risk, collateral issues, and the speculative nature of the project and its location. Skeptics of the initiative cited the fact that the project site, which exhibited environmental issues, had been vacant for 20+years.

Challenge No. 2

The owners could not guarantee continuing access to the NYS tax credit program for film production. In addition, it was paramount that cash be preserved to fund Phase II predevelopment and infrastructure costs.

Solutions
  1. ThinkForward developed a comprehensive business plan, commissioned market/demographic studies, and outlined numerous financing strategies.
  2.  We analyzed the viability of several financing options, from conventional construction, EB-5, and SBA loans to Empire State subsidized loans and bank loan options. Significantly, we reinvestigated each option as our client progressed through the development plan.  
  3. We ultimately procured the construction-to-permanent loan, with very favorable terms, which ensured that the project would be on track for completion.
  4. The financing package also included significant tax benefits.
Game Plan
  1. ThinkForward developed a comprehensive business plan, commissioned market/demographic studies, and outlined numerous financing strategies.
  2.  We analyzed the viability of several financing options, from conventional construction, EB-5, and SBA loans to Empire State subsidized loans and bank loan options. Significantly, we reinvestigated each option as our client progressed through the development plan.  
  3. We ultimately procured the construction-to-permanent loan, with very favorable terms, which ensured that the project would be on track for completion.
  4. The financing package also included significant tax benefits.
Results

Our close relationship with the NYC Industrial Development Agency, as well as our familiarity with the complex application and approval processes, were assets to York Studios. We successfully guided our client through the transaction, ensuring an efficient and smooth closing process.

Background

York Studios, Inc. owns and operates NYS qualified motion picture and television production facilities in New York City. The company’s multi-phase expansion in the Bronx represents the first major film production studio project in the borough.

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