‘Hollywood East’ Dream Ends for AC Boardwalk Movie Studio

Hollywood East it was not.

ACX1 Studios, the entertainment and movie production company that opened at the Playground Pier at Caesar's in 2023, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week.

The Google information for the company says it is "closed permanently."

When it opened, the studio was hyped as the salvation of an empty mall that could never find its footing, in large part because it offered no parking.

ACX1 Studios promised to transform the Pier into a film production lot with 150 sets, recording studios, and a music incubator for emerging artists.

"Our hope and main target is to be the East Coast hub of Hollywood," Chris Aponte, a realtor and co-founder of ACX 1 Studios, told CBS3 at the time of its opening.

As far as I can tell, the project fell way short of those goals.

ACX 1 Studios Declares Bankruptcy

In 2019, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that gives film and digital companies tax credits to shoot in New Jersey. That drew ACX1 to this property.

ACX1 promised a Boardwalk hub for movie and television production and social media production space. Hollywood stars would be frequenting Atlantic City as their East Coast alternative,

Instead, the space seems to have been mostly used as a production house for low-end jobs like midget wrestling shows and house DJ parties.

The company also offered film equipment rentals, crew services, sound stages, catering, and editing facilities, according to its website.

A History of Failure

The Pier Shops was renamed and transformed into The Playground in 2015.

It was intended to be a collection of high-end brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Michael Kors & Tommy Bahama, upscale restaurants like Phillips Seafood and Buddakan, and attractions like the "dancing fountains" interactive water show.

By the time the Apple store decided not to renew its lease in June of 2018, the writing was on the wall for The Playground. Most of the retail businesses were already closing by the time COVID-19 hit.

By November 2021, only three businesses were still operating.