Not corporate. Not a co-working space with a ring light. A real production loft at 873 Broadway, run by someone who’s been in the culture since before “content creator” was a career path.
Most studios in NYC that call themselves “creator-friendly” mean they have a colorful background wall and a receptionist. What indie creators actually need is different: a real room with professional gear, flexible booking, no attitude, no corporate energy, and someone in the room who’s actually been around.
Union Square Loft is all of that. Carlos Montoya, the owner and operator, built the room himself and has been part of NYC’s independent creative scene since the 90s. TEDx Bushwick executive producer. A/V specialist since 1992. In the culture. In the room. On your side. BYOB always — because that’s how it’s always been here.
The difference: Other studios spend more on marketing. USL has Carlos, and Carlos is actually one of you. Nobody else in the building can say that. Not one.
First-time creators: You’ve outgrown your phone camera setup and need a real room for the first time. Carlos will help you figure out the session before you arrive. No judgment. Everyone started somewhere.
Emerging musicians and artists: Music video, album cover, EPK shoot, press photos. The loft has real NYC energy that translates on screen. 13-foot ceilings, hardwood, warm texture. And Carlos knows what good music content looks like.
Indie podcasters: Real engineered sessions from $250/hr. 6 wireless mics. 24-track mixing. Carlos at the board. BYOB. This is what a real podcast sounds like. Your listeners will notice.
Micro influencers and UGC creators: The hourly rate is flat and honest. The gear is real. The backgrounds include green screen, grey seamless, natural light, and the loft itself. You can batch 15 pieces of content in a 4-hour session and leave with a month’s worth of posts.
Independent filmmakers: Short film locations, music video shoots, documentary interviews, casting sessions. The freight elevator handles serious equipment. Carlos has been a production resource for independent film since before you could shoot on a phone.
Studio: $350/hr (2hr min) · $300/hr (4hr half day) · $275/hr (8hr full day). All include the complete gear inventory and Carlos on-site. Sony FX6 cinema camera +$150/hr. Podcast from $250/hr. BYOB always.
No A/V surcharges. No lighting rental fees. No background change fees. No vendor requirements. No minimum spend beyond the hourly rate.
Yes. Genuinely. Carlos Montoya has been part of NYC independent creative culture since the 90s. He’s not a studio manager — he’s a 30-year creative who built the room. Emerging creators, first-timers, micro influencers, indie musicians, and small-budget filmmakers are all treated the same as major brand clients. The room has seen everything. Your project belongs here.
2 hours at $350/hr = $700 total. That’s enough for 3–8 polished content pieces with multiple backgrounds, depending on your shot list. For a lean solo creator, 2 hours is the sweet spot. For a music video or editorial shoot, plan for 4–8 hours.
Yes. Music video location NYC is one of USL’s most-booked use cases. 13-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, grey seamless, green screen, natural light, and the loft character environment all work for music video production. Carlos can also operate the Sony FX6 cinema camera for +$150/hr.
Yes. Multiple backgrounds in one booking at no extra cost. BYOB. Hourly rate with no minimum spend commitment. A flat 4-hour block lets you batch your month’s worth of content in one session. This is the most indie-friendly content studio in the Flatiron District.
You show up with your idea. Everything else is already here.
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