As of March 13, 2026, ACX1 Studios on the Atlantic City Boardwalk has formally initiated bankruptcy proceedings.
The studio operated a full-service media production hub supported television, film, and social media projects.
The seaside structure operated under many names over the last 100 years. Million Dollar Pier, Caesars Pier, The Playground, Ocean One, Pier Shops and most recently, ACX1 Studios.
Some point the failure finger at Mayor Marty Small and his ‘soft on crime’ policies.
Residents say the effort was worth while but persistent crime, homelessness, and drug use continue to plague the world famous Boardwalk.
In 2019, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that gives film and digital companies tax credits to shoot in New Jersey. That drew ACX1 to this property.
Restaurants and businesses inside Playground / Caesar’s Pier sitting empty for years.
The pier in front of Caesar’s Casino has a rich and varied history. It originally opened in 1906 as the Million Dollar Pier, a magnificent 1,900-foot-long entertainment hub featuring a ballroom, a 4,000-seat Hippodrome Theater, an aquarium, and even a roller skating rink.
It famously hosted events like the 1925 Miss America Pageant.
After a fire in 1981, the original pier was demolished. A completely new pier opened in 1983 as Ocean One, a shopping mall that aimed to attract families.
In 2006, after a major redevelopment, it reopened as The Pier Shops at Caesars, an upscale mall known for its high-end stores and an impressive indoor water fountain show.
It was rebranded by developer Bart Blatstein as Playground Pier in 2015.
