The current Macy's Parade Studio
Macy's Parade Studio is a Studio located in Moonatchie, New Jersey, where the Macy's Parade balloons, balloonicles, novelty balloons, and floats are designed, crafted and painted.
History
The original lofted concrete building at 15th Street and Willow Avenue was constructed at the turn of the last century, and was home to a manufacturer of elevator components during its earliest years. According to the 1918 Industrial Directory of New Jersey, the Elevator Supplies Company employed 600 people, making it one of the larger employers in the city before and during the First World War. By 1932, the national economy was experiencing its historic decline, and the workforce of the Hoboken firm (which also controlled a large Canadian elevator equipment company) dropped to 350. Newspaper reports during the Great Depression describe an unsuccessful attempt by the company’s stockholders to have a receiver appointed to take over Elevator Supplies, which later sold the building.
Sperry Products, Inc., manufacturers of electrical and hydraulic equipment, was the building’s next occupant. Until 1948, the Hoboken building was the headquarters and manufacturing center for a range of non-destructive testing equipment, including the Sperry Detector Car, which was used to test rail track for most of the railroads in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Although the Hoboken firm and Sperry Gyroscope had the same founder — Dr. Elmer A. Sperry — there was no corporate relationship between them. Sperry Products, Inc. relocated to Danbury, Connecticut in 1948.
The American Sweets Company - best known for its manufacture of Tootsie Rolls - moved into the building after Sperry Products departed, and continued through the early 1960s. Portions of the old concrete building were used to store cocoa, and other sections held paneled offices and candy-making machines.
Macy’s Parade Studio Tour (Part 1) The Design Room-0
Macy’s Parade Studio Tour (Part 2) The Production Room
Macy’s Parade Studio Tour (Part 3) The Workshop and Floats
Macy’s Parade Studio Tour (Part 4) Paint and Balloons
In 1968, Macy's Studio moved from a smaller warehouse in North Bergen, New Jersey, to Hoboken. The building was remarkably well-suited to the unusual needs of the Macy's artistic and technical crew. With 44-foot-tall ceilings, 16,000 square feet of ground-level space, reinforced concrete walls, an overhead crane to lift elements, and beautiful light, the space was ideal for all aspects of float and balloon design and nearly all aspects of fabrication.
After a 40-year-plus occupancy, the Parade Studio team announced in 2010 that they would be moving to a new and improved building in Moonachie, New Jersey. The former Hoboken Studio was later demolished in June of 2013.
The current Macy's Parade Studio, now located at 140 State Street in Moonachie, New Jersey, is a 72,000-square foot warehouse that was built specifically for the Macy's Parade crew and staff. The building, like its predecessor, has a room with 44-foot tall ceilings where the Parade's signature inflatable icons can be tested and created. The building also came equipped with a five-tonne overhead crane, in addition to three other smaller hoists. The current Parade Studio also has two spray booths located on opposite sides of the building's production facility.
Balloons that currently reside at Macy's Parade Studio
Below, you will find a list of the balloons, novelty balloons, and cold-air inflatables that are currently being stored in the Parade Studio's balloon storage room.
Giant Balloons
- Astronaut Snoopy by Peanuts Worldwide
- Green Eggs & Ham by Netflix
- SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary by Nickelodeon
- Charlie Brown & His Kite by Peanuts Worldwide
- Chase from PAW Patrol by Nickelodeon & Spin Master
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Greg Heffley (2nd version) by Abrams Children's Publishing
- Goku by Toei Animation, Inc.
- Dr. Seuss' The Grinch by Illumination Animation
- Super Wings' Jett by Alpha Group
- Olaf by Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Pikachu (3rd version) by The Pokémon Company International
- Pillsbury Doughboy (2nd version) by Pillsbury
- Power Rangers Mighty Morphin Red Ranger by Hasbro
- Ronald McDonald by McDonald's
- Sinclair's DINO by Sinclair Oil Corporation
- SpongeBob SquarePants (2nd version) by Nickelodeon
- The Elf on the Shelf by The Lumistella Company
- How To Train Your Dragon's Toothless by DreamWorks Animation
- Trolls by DreamWorks Animation & Universal Pictures
Novelty Balloons
- Americana Spheres (3rd version) by Macy's
- Arrtle the Pirate (2nd version) by Macy's
- Blue & White Macy's Stars by Macy's
- Blue Starflakes by Macy's
- Christmas String of Lights by Macy's
- Red & Green Candy Cane (2nd version) by Macy's
- Gold Macy's Starflakes by Macy's
- Harold the Fireman (2nd version) by Macy's
- Harold the Policeman by Macy's
- Happy Dragon by Macy's
- Ice Cream Cone by Macy's
- Kit & C.J. Holiday Elves by Macy's
- Opening Macy's Stars by Macy's
- Pumpkins (3rd version) by Macy's
- Red "Believe" Stars (2nd version) by Macy's
- Sunny the Snowpal by Macy's
- Wiggle Worm (3rd version) by Macy's
- Yellow Macy's Stars (2nd version) by Macy's
Heritage Balloons
- Fleck, Bjorn, Jojo & Hugg by Netflix
- Smokey Bear by United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service
- Little Cloud by FriendsWithYou
- Love Flies Up to the Sky by Yayoi Kusama
- The Nutcracker by Universal Orlando Resort
Cold-Air Balloons
- White 3-Star Array
- Red 3-Star Array
- White Single Star
Gallery
Hoboken Studio (1968-2010)
Moonachie Studio (2011-Present)
