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Gotham movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Gotham filmed?

2014

City Locations

New York (USA), Glen Cove (USA), Long Island (USA)

Location Types

House, Restaurant, Bar, College, Hospital, Intimate, Unique

Location Styles

Bus, Federal Building, Luxury, Modern Building, Modern Car, Parking Lot

About Gotham

Gotham is a Warner Bros. superhero crime drama that follows the story of Jim Gordon, Harvey Bullock, and young Bruce Wayne. The series chronicles Gordon's journey as he rises through the ranks of the Gotham City Police Department while trying to protect the city from its many villains, including Catwoman, Penguin, The Riddler, and Two-Face. Along with Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock, Bruce Wayne also does his own investigations to uncover the truth behind his parent’s death.

The TV series aired on Fox from September 22nd, 2014 to April 25th, 2019 for a total of 100 episodes and five seasons. Throughout its run, it featured an ensemble cast including Donal Logue, Ben McKenzie, and David Mazouz. It has received critical acclaim not only for its writing but also for its ability to recreate many characters from the Batman comic books published by DC Comics.

The show is widely considered one of the most successful comic book adaptations on television with an array of unique characters and storylines that appeal to viewers both new and old to Batman lore.

Gotham also garnered numerous accolades, including an Outstanding Special Visual Effects Primetime Emmy win in 2017. Moreover, Gotham is even credited for giving titular characters outside of Batman lore center stage, such as Jerome Valeska who went on to become an important part of the Gotham spin-off Prodigal Son.

Gotham Locations

Primary filming took place in New York City, which interestingly also goes by the nickname “Gotham.” Recognizable sites around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens are featured in the series, including Central Park, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island Boardwalk, and more.

Other locations outside of NYC also provided backdrops to several scenes throughout the series, including Piermont and Nyack in Rockland County New York. The diverse backdrop provided a contrast between classic city streets and peaceful upstate vibes.

With vibrant colors for day scenes to dark shadows at night, Gotham created an atmosphere that is almost as famous as its characters. Whether it’s strolling through Washington Square Park or walking along the lovely riverfront of Nyack, the locations that sprung Gotham to life allow viewers a chance to become part of the enthralling superhero world for a little while.

Fun Fact:

To ace the uneasy spring to his step, Robin Lord Taylor, who portrayed Penguin in the series, turned to an old Hollywood hack. With a bottle cap placed in his right shoe, it caused enough pain to give him an awkward gait.

Bruce and Selina becoming friends scene in Gotham

Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, 298 Crescent Beach Rd, Glen Cove, NY 11542, United States

To ensure her safety, given that she is the sole witness to the murder of the Waynes, James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) arranges for Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) to stay in custody at Wayne Manor. During her stay, Selina and Bruce (David Mazouz) become friends, and Selina confides in him that her mother works as an intelligence agent.

The Webb Institute of Naval Architecture is a private undergraduate college located in Glen Cove, New York. Founded in 1889 by William H. Webb, a renowned shipbuilder, and businessman, the institute offers a Bachelor of Science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering.

The institute has state-of-the-art facilities, including a towing tank and a hydrodynamics laboratory, which allow students to conduct research and experiments related to marine engineering and naval architecture.

Take I-495 (Long Island Expressway) east or westbound to navigate your way to 298 Crescent Beach Rd where you’ll find the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture.

Barbara's kidnapping scene in Gotham

Cunard Building, 25 Broadway, New York, NY 10004, United States

Bruce Wayne invites Selina Kyle and Barbara Kean (Erin Richards) to his mansion for dinner. The atmosphere is tense as Selina and Barbara are not on good terms. During the dinner, Bruce leaves the room to take a phone call, and Selina and Barbara continue arguing. Suddenly, a group of men enters, and one of them knocks out Alfred (Sean Pertwee), Bruce's butler. They grab Barbara, who initially thinks they are there to kidnap her, but it quickly becomes clear that they are after Bruce.

The Cunard Building in New York City is a historic commercial building located at 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. Completed in 1921, the building was designed by Benjamin Wistar Morris and featured an ornate Beaux-Arts style.

Originally constructed for the Cunard Steamship Company, it served the business’s U.S. headquarters until 1968. During this time, it was also the site where many immigrants from Europe were processed and admitted into the United States. The Cunard Building is considered one of the city's best examples of the "Golden Age" of American shipping.

The nearest subway station is the Whitehall Street Subway Station, which is served by the R and W trains. Alternatively, take the 1 train to South Ferry or the 4 or 5 trains to Bowling Green.

Villains escaping Arkham Asylum scene in Gotham

Richmond University Medical Center-Bayley Seton Hospital, 355 Bard Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310, United States

Theo Galavan (James Frain) and his sister/enforcer, Tabitha Galavan (Jessica Lucas), orchestrate a prison break at Arkham Asylum, freeing several inmates including Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan), Barbara Kean (Erin Richards), Richard Sionis (Todd Stashwick), Arnold Dobkins (Will Brill), Aaron Helzinger (Stink Fisher), and Robert Greenwood (Dustin Ybarra). While most of the inmates agree to join forces with Galavan, Sionis is killed for refusing.

Richmond University Medical Center-Bayley Seton Hospital is a healthcare facility located in Staten Island, New York. The hospital has a long history of providing high-quality medical care to the local community dating back to 1866 when it was first established.

One of the unique features of Richmond University Medical Center-Bayley Seton Hospital is its focus on community outreach and education. The staff actively engages with the local community through health fairs, educational seminars, and other events designed to promote wellness and preventative care.

Take the subway to Staten Island Ferry Terminal and get off at St. George Station. From there, transfer to the S46 bus towards West Shore Plaza to reach 355 Bard Ave. Alternatively, drive on I-278 W towards the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge/Staten Island and navigate your way to the Gotham filming location.

Bruce finds Alfred in a station scene in Gotham

Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States

In an attempt to uncover his father's secrets, Bruce turns his father's computer on. However, when the computer appears to be operational, Alfred destroys it, citing concerns that it would reveal his father's darker past as a criminal.

Bruce subsequently fires Alfred, who is then found by Bruce at a station. Bruce expresses regret for his actions and decides to re-hire Alfred on the condition that he trains him and repairs the damaged computer.

One of the most prominent landmarks in New York City is the Grand Central Terminal, which is situated in Midtown Manhattan. It boasts a record-breaking 44 platforms and 67 tracks, making it the largest train station globally. Besides being a transportation hub, the terminal is also a preferred attraction for both tourists and residents.

The terminal was designed by Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore architects and became operational in 1913. Its Beaux-Arts style architecture and incredible interiors have catapulted it into a popular spot for photo sessions and filming locations for TV shows and movies.

The easiest way to get to 89 E 42nd St is to take the subway. Several subway lines stop nearby, including the 4, 5, 6, 7, and S trains at Grand Central-42nd St Station. If you're coming from outside of New York City, take a train to Grand Central Terminal and walk to 89 E 42nd St, which is just a few blocks away.

Alfred meets Lucius Fox scene in Gotham

The Campbell, 15 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017, United States

Alfred enters the bar and sits next to some man. He orders Gin-tonic and starts a conversation with the man. Alfred realizes that he knows the man, it’s Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk), one of the Wayne Enterprises employees.

The Campbell is a New York City bar and lounge located in Grand Central Terminal. The historic space was originally built in the early 20th century as an office for financier John W. Campbell. Today, it is a popular destination for drinks, small bites, and events.

The Campbell's interior features elegant Beaux-Arts architecture, including soaring ceilings, marble floors, and ornate plasterwork. The centerpiece of the space is a large bar with a brass top and a grand staircase that leads up to a mezzanine level with additional seating. The walls are adorned with vintage photos and memorabilia that harken back to the building's storied past.

Take the 7 train to the Grand Central-42nd Street subway stop, or the FDR Drive and exit at East 42nd Street to get to The Campbell.

Jim Gordon's speech scene in Gotham

National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004, United States

Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) stands in front of the Gotham City Police Department to deliver a powerful speech. Gordon begins by acknowledging the corruption and crime that have plagued the city's police force for far too long. He continues, that the department has lost the public's trust and respect and that it is up to them to earn it back.

The National Museum of the American Indian in New York City is a branch of the Smithsonian Institution and is located in Lower Manhattan. Opened in 1994, the museum is dedicated to showcasing the art, culture, and history of Native Americans in the Western Hemisphere.

The building is a work of art, with a curved limestone facade that resembles an enormous stone ship. Designed by Douglas Cardinal, the museum's architecture is meant to evoke the natural forms and materials used in traditional Native American structures.

The easiest and most convenient way to get to 1 Bowling Green is to take the subway. If you prefer to drive, take the West Side Highway or FDR Drive southbound to Battery Park and navigate your way to 1 Bowling Green.

Conclusion

A trip to the Gotham filming locations would be a worthwhile adventure for any huge Batman fan or wanderlust. Traversing the familiar streets around NYC allows visitors to recreate some of Detective James Gordon and Bruce Wayne’s scenes.

Some Canadian locations also provided diverse scenery for other scenes in the show. Furthermore, studio sets have been used throughout the series, allowing the cast and crew to create intricate sets that resemble various aspects of life in Gotham City.

All these combined allowed the show’s creators to conjure up a convincing world that viewers could immerse themselves in when watching the show. Each episode brought viewers into a new area of Gotham City that felt distinct from any other part, providing fans with an exciting way to further explore the complex universe.

Thanks to all these locations and settings used throughout the series, Gotham proved itself as one of the most captivating television shows, giving fans an entertaining look at life before Batman arrived in Gotham City.