Fans of the high-octane John Wick universe were thrilled to step back into its stylish and dangerous world with The Continental. This Peacock limited series delves into the origins of the iconic hotel, a neutral ground for assassins and a central location in the franchise. But the allure of the John Wick Hotel, The Continental, extends beyond its on-screen mystique. Have you ever wondered if this haven for hired guns is rooted in reality? You might be surprised to learn that the production team meticulously chose real-world New York City locations to bring The Continental to life, grounding the fantastical elements of the John Wick world in tangible cityscapes.
The Real Address of The Continental: 1 Wall Street
The exterior of the imposing John Wick hotel, known as The Continental, is not a figment of cinematic imagination. It’s actually the Cocoa Exchange building, located at the prestigious address of 1 Wall Street in New York City’s Financial District. Dan Leigh, the production designer for the original John Wick film and Nicholas Bernstein, the location manager, revealed in an interview with NBC Insider that this distinctive structure was chosen for its unique architectural character.
Leigh described the Cocoa Exchange as having a resemblance to the famed Flatiron Building, noting, “Sometimes, people refer to it as the ‘Small Flatiron Building.’” This architectural familiarity instantly provides a sense of grandeur and recognizability to viewers, even if they can’t immediately place the building. Bernstein emphasized its uniqueness and coolness, making it the “perfect place” to visually represent the John Wick hotel.
To further enhance the Continental’s majestic presence, Leigh’s team added key design elements to the exterior. An awning, emblazoned with the hotel’s signature ‘C’ logo, became a crucial visual marker. “The awning — because of its oddity and its shape and scale and everything — became an important visual element,” Leigh explained. Coupled with rows of strategically placed light sconces, these additions solidified the Cocoa Exchange’s transformation into the recognizable facade of the John Wick hotel for audiences.
Inside The Continental Lobby: 25 Broadway
While the exterior of the John Wick hotel is at 1 Wall Street, stepping into the opulent lobby of The Continental in the series takes us a few blocks away to 25 Broadway. This location, a historical landmark in New York City, provided the breathtaking interior setting for the hotel’s foyer.
Known as the Cunard Building, 25 Broadway is an Italian neo-Renaissance masterpiece. Historically, this grand space served as the waiting area for the Cunard Line, where transatlantic travelers would gather before embarking on cruises to Europe. Leigh detailed its original purpose, saying, “If you were going on a Cunard cruise across the Atlantic to Europe from New York, this is where you brought your luggage, got your tickets, and waited.” This rich history and architectural splendor made it the ideal location to capture the sophisticated ambiance of the John Wick hotel lobby.
Bernstein highlighted the practical benefits of choosing 25 Broadway, emphasizing its close proximity to the Cocoa Exchange. This geographical convenience was crucial for filming logistics, allowing for efficient movement between the exterior and interior sets.
Despite the inherent grandeur of 25 Broadway, Leigh made subtle modifications to tailor the space to The Continental’s aesthetic. Dated light fixtures were concealed with chainmail to introduce a more contemporary edge. Similarly, existing revolving doors that didn’t fit the cinematic vision were cleverly hidden behind backlit marble panels featuring round fireplaces. These design choices demonstrate the meticulous attention to detail in crafting the visual identity of the John Wick hotel.
The Continental Speakeasy and Hotel Rooms
To complete the immersive world of the John Wick hotel, production utilized additional locations. A Midtown hotel served as the setting for The Continental’s speakeasy, the clandestine bar where Winston Scott is initially introduced in The Continental series. While Leigh couldn’t recall the specific hotel name, this detail further illustrates the use of real New York City spaces to build the show’s environment.
The luxurious hotel rooms, a recurring and crucial element of The Continental, were constructed on a local soundstage. Inspired by the assassins’ gold coin currency, Leigh aimed for “pretty luxe” accommodations. Collaborating with set decorator Susan Bode, they focused on creating high-end rooms, incorporating features like gold domes on the ceilings and extensive glass elements, some of which were specifically designed for bullet impact effects.
Leigh also revealed a conscious design philosophy for the overall John Wick world, describing it as filled with “unfriendly spaces” characterized by “hard edges.” This intentional discomfort was contrasted with the hotel rooms, designed as the only truly welcoming and safe havens within this dangerous universe. “There weren’t very many places in John Wick where you felt like he would want to be, except maybe his hotel room, which was the point,” Leigh explained, underlining the significance of the hotel rooms as sanctuaries within the larger narrative.
Alternate “Pop Culture Hotel” Idea
Interestingly, the John Wick hotel concept could have taken a dramatically different visual direction. Leigh shared an alternate vision initially proposed by one of the directors, describing it as a “pop culture hotel” atmosphere.
This alternative concept involved a lobby-less entrance leading to “two very long escalators going up with neon on both sides of the escalators,” culminating in a “glitzy, neon-lit lobby” at the top. While visually striking, Leigh ultimately argued against this approach, citing practical and thematic concerns. The escalator entrance would slow down character entrances and pacing. Furthermore, the proposed location was a working hotel, making filming logistics and lobby closures challenging within their budget.
More importantly, Leigh believed the “pop culture” aesthetic would diminish the long-term cultural relevance of the film. He advocated for a “classic New York” aesthetic, steering the directors towards locations that evoked a “very classic, very weighty hotel environment.” This ultimately led to the selection of the Cocoa Exchange and 25 Broadway, solidifying the timeless and grounded visual identity of the John Wick hotel.
The Future of the John Wick Franchise
The success of The Continental and the enduring fascination with the John Wick hotel underscore the franchise’s continued expansion. Lionsgate is set to release Ballerina, another spinoff film, further enriching the John Wick universe. While the future of a fifth John Wick film remains uncertain, the studio is clearly committed to developing the property across film, television, and gaming platforms.
Leigh and Bernstein reflected on the unexpected longevity of the franchise. Leigh admitted, “It never felt like this was going to become a franchise,” initially envisioning John Wick as a self-contained story. Bernstein attributed the franchise’s enduring appeal to the creative constraints of the original 2014 film, which fostered innovation and shaped the distinct visual style that has become a hallmark of the John Wick universe. This grounded, realistic approach in the first film, particularly in its environments, contrasts with the more fantastical elements introduced in later installments, highlighting the unique gravitas of the original John Wick and the captivating realism of its iconic John Wick hotel.
Check-In to The Continental
Ready to explore the real-world locations of the John Wick hotel and immerse yourself in the stylish prequel series? All three episodes of The Continental: From the World of John Wick are available for streaming on Peacock. For even more High Table action, John Wick Chapters 1-3 are also streaming on Peacock, offering a complete dive into the world that built the legend of the John Wick hotel. Don’t miss your chance to check in and experience the origins of this iconic cinematic location.
