Walk through the middle of Manhattan right now and you might notice something feels just a little bit off. For over two and a half decades, the flashing neon and glass-walled spectacle at 1500 Broadway was the beating heart of morning television. If you were wondering is GMA leaving Times Square, the answer is actually "yes"—and honestly, it's already happened.
It feels weird to say it. 26 years is a lifetime in TV.
The moving trucks have come and gone. The famous "GMA" sign that used to draw crowds of tourists waving at Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos has gone dark. It’s the end of an era that started back in September 1999, but the show hasn't disappeared into thin air. It just found a much sleeker, more futuristic place to hang its hat.
The Big Move to Hudson Square
Basically, Disney (which owns ABC) decided to stop scattered operations across the city and bring everyone under one roof. They built this massive, 22-story "mega-hub" called the Robert A. Iger Building. It's way downtown in Hudson Square, near SoHo.
Why leave the "Crossroads of the World"? Money and tech. Mostly tech.
Maintaining a massive glass studio in the middle of a tourist trap is incredibly expensive. Plus, the old studio was showing its age. By moving everyone to 7 Hudson Square, ABC News finally gets to be in the same building as The View, Tamron Hall, and Live with Kelly and Mark.
What the New Studio Actually Looks Like
The first broadcast from the new digs happened on June 16, 2025. If you haven't tuned in lately, it looks... different. Gone are the slightly cramped corners of 44th and Broadway.
The new space, known as Studio C, is a literal tech playground. We're talking:
- 187 million pixels of LED screens.
- Floating "air walls" that slide around on tracks to change the room's shape.
- A "loft" vibe that feels more like a high-end New York apartment than a traditional newsroom.
- A specialized kitchen for those cooking segments that actually looks like a kitchen you'd want to live in.
Ginger Zee has been particularly vocal about the weather setup. She’s got about a half-dozen different spots in the studio where she can stand and point at giant, high-res maps. It’s definitely a glow-up.
Why People Are Sad About the Times Square Exit
There’s a specific magic to Times Square that you just can't replicate downtown. Michael Strahan got pretty sentimental during the final week in the old studio, talking about the "intimidating" energy of those bright lights when he first started in 2016.
Robin Roberts, being the soul of the show, shared memories of arriving as a "little girl from Mississippi" and being floored by the majesty of the location.
For the fans, the biggest loss is the window. Part of the fun of Good Morning America was seeing the random New Yorkers and tourists waving in the background behind the anchors. It made the show feel connected to the pavement. The new studio is more of a "closed set" environment, which is great for sound quality but loses that raw, "anything can happen" street energy.
Is GMA Still the Same Show?
The location changed, but the faces didn't. You’ve still got the core team—Stephanopoulos, Roberts, Strahan, Zee, and Lara Spencer.
They’ve made it clear that while the wallpaper is new, the mission isn't. But you can tell they're still getting used to the "new house" smell. George Stephanopoulos even joked on air that they all need IDs now to get anywhere because the building is so huge and high-tech.
What Happens to 1500 Broadway Now?
This is the million-dollar question. Literally.
Disney still has time left on the lease at the Times Square Studios building. As of now, they haven't officially announced a new tenant. There's been talk about sub-leasing it or using it for smaller productions, but it’s unlikely to stay a major broadcast hub for long. Times Square is evolving into more of a retail and "experience" destination, so don't be surprised if it eventually becomes a massive flagship store or a digital art gallery.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re planning a trip to NYC and hoping to catch a glimpse of the GMA crew, you need to adjust your itinerary.
- Don't go to 44th and Broadway. You’ll find a dark studio and some very confused tourists.
- Head to Hudson Square. The new headquarters is at 7 Hudson Square (the intersection of Varick and Vandam Streets).
- Check Audience Requirements. Because the new studio is inside a corporate headquarters, getting into the audience is more structured. You’ll need to book tickets through the official ABC website well in advance.
- Expect a different vibe. There isn't a "public plaza" in the same way the Today Show has at Rockefeller Center. It's a more controlled environment.
The transition is a bittersweet milestone for New York media. Times Square feels a little quieter without the GMA buzz, but the show itself is clearly betting on a high-tech future downtown.