Empire: Where Was the TV Show Filmed?

of Empire: Where Was the TV Show Filmed? Varun Patel
Updated August 1, 2022

‘Empire’ is a television series that takes family drama to new heights. It takes a look at family drama and the conflict of succession in a large multi-million-dollar business empire. To be more specific, the show follows Lucious Lyon, the CEO of Empire Entertainment who suffers from a serious medical condition. With his death imminent in the near future, he is tasked with the responsibility of choosing his successor. However, this ordeal turned out to be way more challenging than anticipated.

The television series has been acclaimed for the brilliant acting of its prominent cast and engaging plot. It stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, among others.

Empire Filming Locations

‘Empire’ is a television series that is largely set in New York City. The city proves to be integral to the plot as it focuses on a large business and the inner politics of its top brass. The business in question, Empire Entertainment, is headquartered in New York City, and this is unsurprising since the city is the financial capital of the United States of America. However, many people might be wondering whether the series has been actually filmed in New York City.

Chicago and Other Locations in Illinois

Firstly, ‘Empire’ has not been filmed in New York City. The show’s makers film it in the state of Illinois and pass it off as locations in the Big Apple. One of the most frequently appearing locations on ‘Empire’ is the protagonist, Lucious Lyon’s house. Calling the mansion luxurious would be a gross understatement. It boasts of a picturesque garden and a charmingly imposing swimming pool amongst other amenities. The estate is located 45 Lake View Lane in the village of Barrington Hills, Illinois. The last time the house was on the market, its value was a whopping $9.95 million.

Other than the estate, most of the filming for ‘Empire’ has been carried out in the city of Chicago. For instance, filming for one of the later episodes of the series was undertaken near McClurg and North Water Street. This is where one of the cast members of the show, Jussie Smollett, made the claim of being attacked in a racist and homophobic hate crime.

According to local sources, filming also took place at 1763 N Walcott Avenue in Chicago. Scenes set in the Empire Entertainment headquarters building are actually filmed at 353 N. Clark Street. Furthermore, the scene where Cookie Lyon gets released from prison was shot at 2950 S. California Avenue.

Moreover, filming was also carried out on Grove Street, New Greater Saint John Church on 3101 W. Warren Boulevard, E. Erie Street and Cresswood Farm on 500 W. County Line Road in Barrington. Additionally, Jamal Lyon and Michael’s apartment is actually located on 226 W. Superior Street while scenes set in Fatima’s house are filmed on 3654 S. King Drive.

Filming activities were also carried out on W. 16th Street, W. 14th Street, S. Talman Avenue, W. 21st Street, W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago City Hall, Lake Shore Drive, S. Fairfield Avenue, 570 Waldron Drive, W. Goethe Street and E. Randolph Street. Moreover, a few scenes were also filmed on W. 15th Place and Dearborn Street.

Other than that, the following twitter post reveals a filming notice for the television series. It reveals how filming was carried out on Cityfront Plaza, Lower St. Clair, Middle South Water Street and Lower Stretson among others.

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