After the Bat-Signal shone in the background in The Penguin’s final episode, fans have become hyper-aware of Gotham’s backdrops.
That’s true – nothing misses a true DC Fan’s eye. From Gothic-Gotham to moody British architecture, here’s a list of places that the crew of The Penguin chose for their best scenes, mostly in New York. Let’s go ahead!
12335 12th Avenue, West Harlem:
Gotham’s infamous Iceberg Lounge is the meeting ground for Gotham’s elite – and of course, the heart of its criminal world.
This spot, where Oz Cobblepot schemes, conspires, plans and mingles, was shot under the gigantic (Gigante-ic; get the pun?) metal arches at Riverside Drive in the dark-wooded West Harlem at 2335 12th Avenue.
227th Street, Between Sixth and Seventh Avenues:
The Diamond District: the showcase of Gotham’s (and Oz’s) wealth and power. The Penguin changes the appearance of 27th Street, between the Sixth and the Seventh Avenues, turning it into this iconic and dazzling commune.
With Oz’s luxury apartment towers the relatively dropped-down backdrop of the famous Williamsburg Bridge.
3La Selva, Upper Brookville:
Nothing screams shade and royalty like the Falcone mansion, a luxurious symbol of on one of Gotham’s most infamous criminal families.
La Selva, an enormous estate in Upper Brookville on Long Island’s Northern Shore, plays the role perfectly.
Sharing likeliness with the opulent mansion in The Great Gatsby, this mansion was excellent choice by designer Kalina Ivanov chose.
4Chinatown, South Bronx, and Yonkers:
Crown Point is one of the shadiest corners of Gotham—a dark, desolate area that houses the city’s forgotten people.
For Crown Point, the production team chose several real-life locations in and around New York City. From Chinatown to Yonkers, the slums of Gotham wore no filters in the show.
5Hawksmoor NYC:
Gramercy Park’s Hawksmoor restaurant also steps in the shoes of an appropriate gathering point for Gotham’s criminal elite.
An amalgam of historical craftsmanship and refined regal architecture, it perfectly balances Gotham’s elitist dark angles.
Choosing this landmark was a great decision, since it brings a tone of sophistication with an undertone of suspicion.
6Hewes Street Subway Station:
Of course, Gotham’s streets are vigorous with scenes of the actively moving life of its citizens.
The Hewes Street subway station is revamped as Buddy’s Corner Mart, a dingy meeting spot frequented by Oz and his cronies.
Capturing the soul of Gotham’s working-class neighborhoods, this spot goes a long way in defining the many classes that make up Gotham.
7Kew Gardens Train Station:
Kew Gardens Train Station does a great job at capturing Gotham metro’s dark and ominous vibe, serving as Irving Grove Station.
The station’s old and classical architecture and dimly-lit aura make it the perfect Gotham subway stand-in, raising the tensions with every train’s arrival and departure, as we all felt hair rise at the back of our necks.
8Seneca Avenue BMT Station:
Eve is found to reside at Seneca Avenue, BMT station. With the dark underlying vibe of Gotham neighborhoods, this location is a perfect choice to portray the same.
Adding an eerie feeling to the show, the neighborhood captures Gotham’s dark side arguably more precisely than other locations.
9Silvercup Studios North:
Sculpting the center for mob meetings to discuss shady plots, Silvercup Studios North all the way in Queens does a wonderful job in bringing Gotham to life.
From the power moves of Oz that made him the Penguin to tense mob altercations, these sets are home to the most intriguing scenes throughout the show.
Final Thoughts
New York’s alleyways and mansions form the base for filming the dark scenes of DC’s The Penguin, helping turn the show in the most intriguing turns when the fans least expected it.
Honestly, it’s pretty unimaginable that Gotham is a fictional place. (Or is it?)
About The Penguin
The Penguin is an American television miniseries created by Lauren LeFranc for HBO. Based on the DC Comics character Penguin, it is a spin-off from the film The Batman (2022) that explores the Penguin’s rise to power in Gotham City’s criminal underworld. LeFranc serves as the showrunner of the series, which is produced by DC Studios in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Colin Farrell stars as the Penguin, reprising his role from The Batman, alongside Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, Berto Colón, James Madio, Joshua Bitton, David H. Holmes, Daniel J. Watts, Ben Cook, Jayme Lawson, Michael Kelly and Mark Strong. Development was underway by September 2021, and HBO Max ordered it in March 2022, after The Batman was released. The film’s director, Matt Reeves, supervised the writing and was involved in hiring the creative team. Filming began in March 2023 in New York, but was halted in June by the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes. Production resumed in late November and concluded in February 2024. The series moved from HBO Max’s successor Max to HBO in July 2024. Craig Zobel directed the first three episodes.
The Penguin premiered in the United States on HBO on September 19, 2024, and is set to run for eight episodes until November 10.
No Comments on The Penguin Season 1 Filming Locations: Where was the DC Series Shot?