Filming on Location (Region 2)

Film and Special Events

A film crew uses the exterior of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza for production of The Looming Tower, starring Jeff Bridges. Photograph by Allison Arias

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GSA’s Northeast and Caribbean Region, which includes New York, Northern New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands has pioneered the agency’s nationwide program to encourage the use of federal properties for film and television productions and for non-federal special events. The program’s goals are to showcase historic buildings in film and television productions and to support public-private partnerships by creating opportunities for commercial and public use of federal properties. Revenue generated through this program helps fund preservation projects within GSA’s historic inventory.

The Process

1. Contact us using the information in the upper right to discuss your request and needs. GSA will work to find the best fit and set up a site visit for location scouting.

2. Complete a simple application (see right column) and return it to GSA (see contacts at top right).

3. Once the application is complete, the vetting process begins. GSA will work with you from start to finish on the logistics of the preparation, shooting, and wrap.

The Program

Renting space for filming and other special events helps support federal preservation goals by investing revenue into historic federal buildings to maintain occupancy, good condition, and economic value while facilitating their use and enjoyment by the public. Location fees support the care of the magnificent inventory of historic courthouses, custom houses, and federal buildings by reproducing historic light fixtures and other absent features, restoring historic finishes such as woodwork and stone, and to fund many other critical repairs and preservation efforts.

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 calls on the federal government to take a leadership role in the preservation of its historic resources. The Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act of 1976 encourages federal agencies to make public buildings more accessible by locating cultural, educational, recreation, and commercial activities in federal properties.

Section 111 of the NHPA allows agencies to lease space in federal historic buildings to non-federal tenants and reinvest the proceeds to support their preservation and use. Using these locations goes a long way in promoting, protecting, and preserving these national treasures.

Frequently Used Properties in New York City

A film crew for the Shonda Rhimes and Paul William Davies series “For The People,” films outside the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse at 40 Foley Square. The series premiered in March 2018 and uses footage shot at three of GSA’s buildings. Photograph by Allison Arias

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• Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at One Bowling Green
• Federal Building at 201 Varick Street
• Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway
• Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza
• Howard Street Garage (exterior) at 203 Centre Street
• Silvio J. Mollo Federal Building (exterior) at 1 Saint Andrew’s Plaza
• Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse (exterior) at 40 Foley Square

GSA’s Northeast and Caribbean Region has additional properties located throughout New York City, New York state, northern New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Please contact us to discuss property types, locations and logistics for filming at these locations.