Have you been captivated by the opulent and dangerous world of The Continental? This thrilling prequel series, a spin-off from the immensely popular John Wick franchise, is now available for streaming on Peacock, offering viewers a deep dive into the iconic hotel’s origins. The Continental series unveils the tumultuous 1970s New York, where a young Winston Scott, portrayed by Colin Woodell, seizes control of the infamous assassin sanctuary from its previous manager, Cormac, played by Mel Gibson. But the allure of The Continental Hotel John Wick extends beyond its fictional narrative, rooted in real-world locations that bring the gritty elegance of the John Wick universe to life.
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Continental and the broader John Wick saga is the titular hotel itself. This Manhattan establishment, nestled in the heart of the Financial District, serves as a neutral ground for assassins, a place of refuge where violence is forbidden amongst its clientele. The manager of The Continental wields significant power, overseeing this delicate balance and ensuring the hotel’s unique rules are upheld. But where exactly is The Continental Hotel John Wick located in reality?
Unveiling the Exterior: 1 Wall Street and the Cocoa Exchange Building
The exterior of The Continental Hotel John Wick is brought to life by the Cocoa Exchange building, located at 1 Wall Street in New York City.
In an exclusive interview with NBC Insider, Dan Leigh, the production designer, and Nicholas Bernstein, the location manager from the original John Wick film, revealed the real-world inspiration for The Continental’s exterior. They pinpointed 1 Wall Street as the address, specifically using the facade of the historic Cocoa Exchange building. This architectural gem, designed by Clinton & Russell and built in the early 1900s, provided the perfect visual identity for the hotel.
Leigh noted the building’s resemblance to the Flatiron Building, another iconic New York landmark. “Sometimes, people refer to it as the ‘Small Flatiron Building,” he explained. This visual familiarity offered an immediate sense of New York City to audiences, grounding the fantastical elements of John Wick in a recognizable reality. Bernstein emphasized the unique appeal of the Cocoa Exchange, stating, “It was so unique and so cool and so different. We just realized it was the perfect place.”
To enhance the hotel’s grandeur, Leigh and his team added distinctive features to the Cocoa Exchange’s exterior. An awning emblazoned with the Continental’s signature ‘C’ logo and rows of light sconces were installed, transforming the building into the recognizable facade seen in the series and films. Leigh highlighted the awning’s significance: “The awning — because of its oddity and its shape and scale and everything — became an important visual element. So without the awning, I don’t know if people really go, ‘Oh, wait! That’s from John Wick!’”
Interestingly, Leigh shared an anecdote about discovering apartments for rent in the Cocoa Exchange building years later. He was amused to find that “the real estate listing was using the John Wick location as a bonus” to attract potential tenants, highlighting the franchise’s cultural impact on the city itself.
Despite the perfect fit of the Cocoa Exchange, a backup location was considered: a bank-owned building near the New York Stock Exchange. While described as a “very classic New York exterior” with “beautiful carving,” this alternative presented challenges. Bernstein pointed out the logistical difficulties for filming due to its proximity to the NYSE and stricter post-9/11 security measures. Leigh added that the narrower street wouldn’t have allowed for the wide shots and dramatic entrances that the Cocoa Exchange provided.
Stepping into the Lobby: The Grandeur of 25 Broadway
The interior lobby of The Continental Hotel John Wick was filmed at 25 Broadway, a historical landmark in New York City.
While the Cocoa Exchange provided the exterior, the interior lobby of The Continental Hotel John Wick required a different location. Since the ground floor of 1 Wall Street housed commercial businesses, including a Chinese restaurant at the entrance, Leigh and Bernstein sought an alternative for the hotel’s opulent foyer.
They found the ideal setting several blocks away at 25 Broadway, a breathtaking Italian neo-renaissance space recognized as a historical landmark. This location, once the waiting area for the Cunard Line, offered the required grandeur and historical depth. Leigh explained its original purpose: “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. Then you were taken on board the ship.”
Bernstein emphasized the crucial proximity of 25 Broadway to the Cocoa Exchange. The close distance facilitated filming at both locations efficiently. However, the landmark status of 25 Broadway imposed restrictions on alterations. Leigh specifically mentioned the “dated and stodgy” ceiling light fixtures that clashed with the film’s aesthetic. His solution was to drape them in chainmail, instantly modernizing their appearance. Other challenges included concealing existing revolving doors, which Leigh cleverly addressed by incorporating backlit marble panels with round fireplaces. These additions enhanced the cinematic atmosphere while respecting the historical integrity of the location.
Beyond the Lobby: Speakeasies and Bespoke Hotel Rooms
Scenes set in the speakeasy and hotel rooms of The Continental Hotel John Wick were filmed in a Midtown hotel and on a soundstage, respectively.
To create the complete world of The Continental Hotel John Wick, additional locations were utilized. The “speakeasy” where Winston is first introduced was filmed in a Midtown hotel, though Leigh and Bernstein couldn’t recall the specific name. For the hotel room sets, a local soundstage was employed. Leigh, guided by the assassin world’s gold coin currency, aimed for “pretty luxe” accommodations.
Working with set decorator Susan Bode, Leigh focused on creating high-end hotel rooms. He detailed features like “gold domes on the ceilings and a lot of glass,” with much of the glass strategically included for bullet hit effects, a nod to the action-packed nature of the John Wick universe. Interestingly, Leigh pointed out that the hotel rooms are intentionally designed as the only truly welcoming spaces within the John Wick world. Collaborating with directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, Leigh adopted an “unfriendly spaces” ethos for the overall project, characterized by “hard edges.” He elaborated, “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. Everything else was pretty uncomfortable.”
The Road Not Taken: A “Pop Culture” Continental
An initial concept for The Continental Hotel John Wick involved a more contemporary, “pop culture” aesthetic, featuring escalators and neon lights.
Leigh revealed an intriguing alternate concept for The Continental Hotel John Wick. One of the directors initially envisioned a “pop culture hotel” atmosphere. This idea involved an entrance devoid of a traditional lobby, instead featuring “two very long escalators going up with neon on both sides” leading to a “glitzy, neon-lit lobby” at the top.
While visually striking, Leigh ultimately argued against this approach, citing pacing concerns. He explained that the escalator sequence would slow down character entrances, such as John Wick’s arrival. Furthermore, the proposed location was a functioning hotel, making it impractical to shut down the lobby for filming given budget constraints.
Leigh believed the “pop culture” concept would limit the film’s “longevity.” He advocated for a “classic New York” aesthetic, guiding the directors towards locations that he and Bernstein knew would create a “very classic, very weighty hotel environment.” Eventually, Stahelski and Leitch agreed, opting for the timeless elegance that defines The Continental Hotel John Wick as we know it.
Expanding the John Wick Universe and How to Watch The Continental
The John Wick franchise continues to expand, with The Continental leading the way and the upcoming film Ballerina set to follow. Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas and directed by Len Wiseman, takes place between Chapters 3 and 4 and will feature appearances from Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, and the late Lance Reddick. The future of the franchise looks bright, with Lionsgate aiming to extend the John Wick world across film, television, and video games.
Reflecting on the franchise’s unexpected success, Leigh admitted, “It never felt like this was going to become a franchise. It felt like this was an interesting graphic novel kind of parable about this guy and revenge and that that would pretty much be it. So the fact that it’s had the legs that it’s had is still amazing to me.” Bernstein attributed the franchise’s enduring appeal to the creative constraints of the original John Wick film, stating, “I think it sharpened everyone’s creative energies slowly. It’s why the look of that movie became so cool and then birthed these other films.” Leigh concluded by highlighting the grounded realism of the first film compared to the more fantastical later installments, emphasizing John Wick‘s initial focus on “gravitas” and “realistic” environments.
Eager to immerse yourself in the world of The Continental Hotel John Wick? All three episodes of The Continental: From the World of John Wick are currently streaming on Peacock. For even more High Table action, John Wick Chapters 1-3 are also available on Peacock. Peacock offers various subscription plans, including a student discount, making it easier than ever to dive into the thrilling universe of John Wick and The Continental. Don’t miss the chance to explore the real-world locations behind this iconic assassin sanctuary and experience the stylish and dangerous world of The Continental Hotel John Wick.
