Colin Jost and Pete Davidson's $280,100 Staten Island Ferry Has Already Paid for Itself, Jost Says

Key facts

• Colin Jost and Pete Davidson bought the 277-foot decommissioned Staten Island Ferry for $280,100 in January 2022.
• The ferry, named John F. Kennedy, shuttled commuters from 1965 until 2021.
• Jost said on the 'SmartLess' podcast that events on the ferry have already made back the money invested.
• Scarlett Johansson replied 'We?' when Jost texted her about the purchase.
• Davidson claimed they were 'very stoned' when buying the ferry; Jost denied this, saying he was 'stone-cold sober.'
• Jost and Davidson plan to use the ferry as an event space or entertainment venue.
• The vessel is 277 feet long and offers 70,000 square feet of space.
• Jost took the same ferry to commute to Regis High School as a teenager.

A Ferry Purchase That Raised Eyebrows

In January 2022, Colin Jost and Pete Davidson, both Staten Island natives, purchased a decommissioned Staten Island ferry at auction for $280,100. The 277-foot vessel, named the John F. Kennedy, had served commuters between Manhattan and Staten Island from 1965 until it was taken out of service in 2021. The purchase was made alongside business partners Paul Italia and Ron Castellano. Jost, 43, revealed on the 'SmartLess' podcast that his wife, actress Scarlett Johansson, was less than enthusiastic. When he texted her, 'Guess what? We own a ferry now,' she replied with a single word: 'We?' Johansson later joked on 'Today With Jenna & Friends' in January 2025 that anyone could start a GoFundMe for the ferry.

Recouping the Investment Through Events

Despite public jokes about the ferry being a money pit, Jost said on 'SmartLess' that the narrative is 'very misreported.' He explained that they have hosted events on the vessel and 'already made back the money we've invested and the money we've spent on stuff to dock it.' This marks a departure from earlier quips, including Davidson's comment that they were 'very stoned' when buying it—a claim Jost refuted on Instagram, writing, 'Is it worse that I was actually stone-cold sober when we bought the ferry?' Jost added that the ferry represents a real estate opportunity: 'If you put it somewhere, it's 70,000 square feet. So I was like, if you put that on a dock in Manhattan, you've suddenly got basically a building on the waterfront.'

A Personal Connection to the Vessel

For Jost, the ferry holds personal significance. He told the podcast hosts that the John F. Kennedy was the same ferry he took as a teenager to commute to Regis High School on the Upper East Side. 'It was usually the 7 a.m. ferry that I took,' he recalled. The school is tuition-free for admitted students, a detail Jost noted. The purchase also ties to his Staten Island roots, shared with Davidson, 32. The two comedians have often joked about the acquisition, with Davidson quipping in June 2023 that he hoped the ferry 'turns into a Transformer and gets the f—k out of there so I can stop paying for it.'

Plans for an Event Space or Entertainment Venue

Jost outlined their vision for the ferry: using it as an event space or entertainment venue. However, he acknowledged that finding a permanent dock is 'a long process.' The vessel's size—70,000 square feet—offers ample room for such uses. Jost said he was 'thinking in a real estate way' when they bought it. Davidson, during a surprise return to 'Saturday Night Live' in 2023, responded to a New York Times article that called the ferry purchase a 'fiasco.' Despite the teasing, Jost remains optimistic, having stated in 2022: 'We’re excited to prove the non-believers wrong. You’re going to be BEGGING to get on this ferry in two years. Mark my words.'

The Financial Reality Behind the Jokes

While the comedians have made light of the ferry's costs, Jost's recent comments suggest a more serious financial outcome. He emphasized that the events have already covered their investment, including docking fees. The initial purchase price of $280,100 was a fraction of what a comparable waterfront property would cost, and the ferry's 70,000 square feet of space could be leveraged for revenue. Jost and Davidson's partnership with Italia and Castellano adds a business dimension to the venture. Italia owns comedy clubs, and Castellano is a Staten Island businessman. The group's ability to generate income from the vessel may determine whether the ferry becomes a lasting asset or a costly novelty.

What Comes Next for the John F. Kennedy

The ferry remains docked, awaiting its transformation into a venue. Jost and Davidson have not announced a timeline for opening it to the public. The process of securing permits and a permanent location continues, with Jost describing it as a 'long process.' In the meantime, the comedians continue to field questions about the ferry. Johansson's public jokes and Jost's podcast revelations keep the story alive in the public eye. Whether the vessel will become a successful entertainment hub or remain a punchline is still uncertain, but Jost's claim of recouping costs suggests the venture may have legs.

A Bet on Waterfront Real Estate

Jost's real estate framing of the purchase underscores a calculated risk. By acquiring a decommissioned ferry, he and Davidson gained a large space on the water at a fraction of the cost of traditional waterfront property. If they can secure a prime dock location, the ferry could become a unique venue in New York City. However, the venture is not without challenges. Docking fees, maintenance, and regulatory hurdles could erode profits. Jost's assertion that they have already broken even is a positive sign, but the long-term viability depends on consistent event bookings and public interest. For now, the ferry remains a symbol of a bold, unconventional investment by two comedians betting on their hometown.

The bottom line

• Colin Jost and Pete Davidson bought a decommissioned Staten Island ferry for $280,100 in January 2022.
• Jost claims they have already recouped their investment through events held on the vessel.
• Scarlett Johansson reacted with a one-word response to the purchase: 'We?'
• The ferry, named John F. Kennedy, served commuters from 1965 to 2021.
• Jost and Davidson plan to use the ferry as an event space or entertainment venue.
• The purchase was made with business partners Paul Italia and Ron Castellano.