The Exquisite Filming Locations of John Wick: Unveiling the Mystery Behind The Continental's Settings

Summary

"The Continental," a prequel to the John Wick series, primarily takes place in New York City, where the fictional hotel is located.

Although the story only takes place in one location, the production of the show and the John Wick films was carried out around the world. These films were shot in various cities such as Rome, Casablanca, and Osaka.

For the exterior shots of the Continental Hotel, filming took place at the Beaver Building in New York City, while the interior scenes were shot at Delmonico's restaurant and the Cipriani 25 Broadway building. The majority of filming on soundstages was done at Origo Studio in Budapest.

The Continental primarily unfolds in 1970s New York City, but where was the series actually filmed? Serving as a prequel to the John Wick franchise, the show centers around the eponymous establishment, which was first introduced in the 2014 film John Wick. Given its prequel status, it's logical that a significant portion of the show is set in New York, where the fictional hotel is located.

However, the John Wick films have garnered a reputation for their diverse filming locations. From cities like Rome and Casablanca to New York and Osaka, the four films have explored various corners of the globe. That being said, The Continental's place within the John Wick timeline means it primarily takes place in the United States, distinguishing it from its companion film series in terms of location. Despite the predominantly singular setting of the story, the production of the John Wick prequel show took the cast on a worldwide shoot, whisking them away to different corners of the globe.

The Beaver Building, New York City

Delmonico's, 56 Beaver Street, New York City

The Beaver Building, located at 1 Wall Street Court in New York City, served as the backdrop for The Continental, the titular hotel in the film. Situated in the heart of Manhattan's financial district, this building, commonly referred to as the Small Flatiron, was transformed into the fictional Continental Hotel for the shooting. To depict this change, the iconic "C" shaped logo of The Continental was added to the Small Flatiron. According to Yahoo, location manager Nicholas Bernstein praised the building, saying, "It was so unique, cool, and different that we knew it was the perfect choice."

The exterior scenes of The Continental Hotel in John Wick were filmed at the Beaver Building, while the interior shots were captured at Delmonico's, an esteemed restaurant located just a short distance away on Beaver Street. Delmonico's has been featured as the interior setting for various movies, including The April Fools and The Associate. It has now become synonymous with The Continental Hotel, showcasing a multitude of stunning interior shots of the renowned hotel chain.

Cipriani 25 Broadway, New York City

Origo Studio, Budapest, Hungary

Delmonico's served as the primary location for most of The Continental's interior shots, but the hotel's foyer was filmed at the renowned Cipriani 25 Broadway building in New York. This exquisite structure, known for its stunning Italian neo-renaissance architecture, has become an iconic landmark in the city. With its grand 65-foot high ceiling, adorned marble columns, intricately designed floors, and captivating murals, the Cipriani 25 Broadway building perfectly embodied the luxurious and upscale ambiance of The Continental's hotel foyer as depicted in the John Wick movies.

These three locations were the main filming spots for 1970s New York City in The Continental's production. However, the majority of the filming took place at Origo Studio in Budapest, Hungary. This studio is made up of several Hollywood soundstages that have been used for famous productions like Dune, Blade Runner 2049, The Witcher, and Moon Knight. Therefore, The Continental joins the list of Hollywood productions that have utilized these stages. It is likely that the stages were used for the majority of the show's other locations, from the depiction of London in Episode 1 of The Continental to the important places like Lou and Miles' dojo.