Exploring The Set Of Law & Order: Svu

Fans of the long-running TV drama Law & Order: SVU can get a glimpse behind the scenes with a tour of the set in New York City. The show is filmed on location in the Big Apple, with the soundstage based at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, the city's largest centre for film and TV production. Fans can also take a self-guided tour of external filming locations, including the Meatpacking district, the stomping ground of the squad from season one to the present day, and the New York Supreme Court, where the show's infamous courthouse scenes are filmed.

Self-guided tours are available

One option for fans is to take a self-guided tour of Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, which is the largest centre for film and television production in the city. The sets of Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU are located here, and it is known as the home of the soundstage for the franchise. A walk or bike ride along the Hudson River will give visitors a view of the 200,000 square feet that make up the piers.

Fans can also take a self-guided tour of other filming locations in New York City. The show often films outdoors, so many scenes can be easily recognised. One example is the New York Supreme Court, also known as the NY Courthouse, in lower Manhattan’s Foley Square. This location was used for the infamous courthouse scenes in the show. The Meatpacking District is another filming location, which has been the gritty stomping ground of the squad since season 1.

For those who want a more official experience, there are private Law & Order: SVU site tours available. These tours can be booked through companies such as On Location Tours and Project Expedition. These tours may include a behind-the-scenes look at the SVU precinct and Olivia's apartment, as well as locations like The Courthouse Steps and Chelsea Piers.

See the Meatpacking District, the show's stomping ground

While there is limited information on how to access the set of Law & Order: SVU, there are several ways to visit locations featured in the show. On Location Tours offers a self-guided tour of locations from the show, including the Meatpacking District, which has been the gritty stomping ground of the squad from season 1 to the present day.

The Meatpacking District is located on the west side of Manhattan in the neighbourhood of Chelsea, a historic and diverse area that is also home to the General Theological Seminary, now The High Line Hotel on West 20th Street. This hotel has been featured in both Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU. Chelsea is also known as the "epicentre of the real NYPD", with the largest NYPD headquarters in New York City located in this neighbourhood.

Chelsea Piers, located in Chelsea, is the home of the soundstage of Law & Order: SVU and the original Law & Order. It is Manhattan's largest centre for film, spanning 200,000 square feet. The Piers have also been featured in countless television shows and movies, including classic movies with timeless characters.

In addition to the self-guided tour, On Location Tours offers a guided tour of New York City that includes neighbourhoods where Law & Order: SVU has been filmed. While this tour does not feature specific locations from the series, it is a great way to explore the city and learn about its rich history in television and movie-making.

For those unable to join a guided tour, there are several notable filming locations that can be visited independently. The New York County Courthouse in downtown Manhattan has been used for exterior shots of the courthouse featured in the show. Additionally, Union Square Park and Pete's Tavern, a bar and restaurant, have been featured in the series and are popular hotspots for visitors.

With a bit of luck, it is also possible to stumble upon the cast and crew filming on location in New York City, as Law & Order: SVU films many outdoor scenes in the city. Fans have reported seeing the show being filmed on the streets of New York multiple times, so keep your eyes peeled!

Visit Chelsea Piers, home of the soundstage

Chelsea Piers, located on West 23rd Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan, is a 200,000-square-foot space that serves as New York City's largest centre for film and television production. It is also known as the "home of the soundstage" for NBC's long-running crime drama "Law & Order: SVU" and the original "Law & Order" series.

While official guided tours of the Chelsea Piers soundstage may not be available, fans of the show can still visit the iconic location and explore the surrounding areas featured in the series. Chelsea Piers is situated in the historic and diverse neighbourhood of Chelsea on the west side of Manhattan, offering a wealth of sights and experiences.

Take a leisurely walk or bike ride along the scenic Hudson River, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the city. As you approach Chelsea Piers, you'll find yourself in the very place where the intense courtroom scenes and police interrogations of "Law & Order: SVU" were brought to life. The soundstage has witnessed countless dramatic moments, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the evolution of television and the changing hairstyles of Mariska Hargitay's character over the years.

In addition to Chelsea Piers, fans can explore other notable filming locations in the area. Just a short distance away is the iconic Highline Hotel, formerly known as the General Theological Seminary, which has been featured in both "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: SVU." The neighbourhood is also home to "Puzzle Palace," the largest NYPD headquarters in New York City, where the real and television police squads converge.

For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, self-guided tours and bus tours are available that showcase various filming locations from the "Law & Order" franchise. These tours allow visitors to walk in the footsteps of their favourite characters, exploring crime scenes and iconic spots that have defined the series.

Explore the New York Supreme Court

The New York Supreme Court is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in the Judiciary of New York. It is the only state where the supreme court is used by a trial court rather than a court of last resort. The Court has unlimited and original jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases, with some exceptions. For instance, in many counties outside of New York City, the Supreme Court acts primarily as a court of civil jurisdiction, with most criminal matters handled in the County Court.

The Supreme Court hears civil matters beyond the monetary limits of the lower courts' jurisdiction. For example, in New York City, the Court hears civil actions involving claims above $50,000. The Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over matrimonial actions, such as divorce or annulment proceedings. Additionally, the Court hears civil cases involving claims for equitable relief, such as injunctions or specific performance.

The Criminal Branch of the Supreme Court tries felony cases in the five counties of New York City, while these cases are primarily heard in the County Court elsewhere. Misdemeanour cases and arraignments are usually handled by lower courts, such as the New York City Criminal Court or the District Court in Nassau County.

The Supreme Court also has specialised business courts known as the Commercial Division, established in 1995 by Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye. These courts have a defined jurisdiction focusing on business and commercial litigation, with the jurisdictional amount in controversy required to have a case heard varying among the Commercial Division courts.

If you're interested in visiting the Law & Order SVU set, you're in luck! There are self-guided tours available that will take you to various locations from the show, including the 16th Precinct, the Meatpacking District, and Chelsea Piers, which is the home of the soundstage for Law & Order: SVU. You can also explore the streets of New York City and find yourself in the crime scenes of the show. Keep an eye out for signs indicating filming locations, and you might even catch them in action!

There are no tickets required to visit the set

For example, you can take a walk or bike ride along the Hudson River and see Chelsea Piers, Manhattan’s largest centre for film and television production. Inside are the sets of Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU, where all the courtroom drama and police interrogations took place.

You can also visit the 16th Precinct, a prominent building used several times throughout the series, and take your photo on The Courthouse Steps, a timeless location that has witnessed countless dramatic scenes.

Another option is to explore the Meatpacking district, the gritty stomping ground of the squad from season 1 to the present day.

In addition to these public locations, there are also organised tours that provide a behind-the-scenes look at the SVU set. These tours may include a visit to the SVU precinct and Olivia's apartment, but they do not require tickets specifically for the SVU set. Instead, they are typically booked through a tour company, and the details may vary depending on the company and the specific tour offered.

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