The saga of the Colin Jost Staten Island Ferry Scarlett Johansson reaction reached a new peak of viral hilarity recently, proving that even A-list movie stars aren't immune to the "impulse buy" headaches of their spouses. What began as a headline-grabbing auction purchase in early 2022 has evolved into a complex real estate play, a comedy routine staple, and a legitimate maritime renovation project. While the public has largely viewed the acquisition of the John F. Kennedy ferry boat as a punchline, the internal ledger and the business strategy behind "Titanic 2 LLC" suggest a much more calculated move than Pete Davidson ferry purchase jokes might imply.
The Text Heard ‘Round the Waterfront: The Colin Jost Staten Island Ferry Scarlett Johansson Exchange
When Weekend Update host Colin Jost finalized the $280,100 auction price for the decommissioned vessel, his first instinct was to share the news with his family. The results were predictably skeptical. Appearing on the Smartless podcast Colin Jost detailed the exact moment he broke the news to his wife, Oscar-nominee Scarlett Johansson.
"I texted Scarlett, like, ‘Guess what? We own a ferry now,’" Jost told Smartless podcast hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes. "And she was like, ‘We?’"
Scarlett Johansson's reaction to husband Colin Jost's $280,100 purchase of a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry was a blunt, one-word text: 'We?' Jost revealed the savage response during a May 2026 episode of the 'Smartless' podcast, noting that his wife was initially skeptical of the joint investment with Pete Davidson.
Jost’s father, a former New York City teacher and Staten Island native, was equally unimpressed, responding with a classic educator's barb: "Did you do your homework?" Despite the initial family friction, the Scarlett Johansson one word reaction has become a defining moment in the project's public narrative, highlighting the tension between a "stoned" impulse (as Pete Davidson once claimed) and a "stone-cold sober" real estate investment (as Jost maintains).
The $280,100 Investment: A Timeline of the JFK Ferry Purchase
The John F. Kennedy, a "Kennedy-class" vessel that served the New York harbor for 56 years, was officially retired by the NYC Department of Transportation in late 2021. In January 2022, the 277-foot decommissioned vessel was put up for auction. Jost and Davidson, both Staten Island natives who grew up commuting on the JFK, saw an opportunity to preserve a piece of their childhood while entering the high-stakes world of New York City waterfront development.
The partnership, organized under the cheeky moniker Titanic 2 LLC, includes Jost, Davidson, and prominent business partners Paul Italia (co-founder of The Stand comedy club) and designer Ron Castellano. While Davidson has joked on the Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers podcast that he was "stuck with a f---in' boat," Jost has been the primary defender of the project’s financial viability.
- Auction Date: January 2022
- Winning Bid: $280,100
- Total Square Footage: Approximately 70,000 sq. ft. across multiple decks
- Current Location: Pier 17 Manhattan (temporary docking)
Money Pit or Gold Mine? The Financial Reality of Titanic 2 LLC
The primary question surrounding the Colin Jost Staten Island Ferry Scarlett Johansson investment is whether it is a "crazy money pit" or a brilliant Staten Island Ferry event space. From a price-per-square-foot perspective, the math is surprisingly in Jost’s favor. At $280,100 for 70,000 square feet, the acquisition cost was roughly $4 per square foot. In contrast, commercial real estate in Manhattan can easily exceed $1,000 per square foot.
However, the Staten Island Ferry renovation costs are the true variable. Maintaining a 2,000-ton steel vessel requires constant upkeep, specialized maritime insurance, and adherence to strict NYC waterfront zoning laws for ferries. Industry experts estimate that simply docking a vessel of this size in a prime Manhattan location like Pier 17 can cost tens of thousands of dollars per month in berthing fees.
Jost countered the "money pit" narrative on Smartless, claiming they have already recouped a significant portion of their investment by hosting high-profile events. Most notably, the ferry served as the backdrop for a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show in September 2024. This proof-of-concept event demonstrated the vessel's potential as a premier Staten Island Ferry event space, capable of hosting the fashion elite and corporate giants alike.
The Vision: Swim Clubs, Hotels, and the Miami Move
The long-term goal for the JFK ferry is far more ambitious than a simple party boat. Jost and his partners have floated several "middle-class Manhattan" concepts that leverage the boat's massive footprint.
The 'Middle-Class' Swim Club
Inspired by the Great Hills Swim Club of his youth, Jost envisions a swim club that provides New Yorkers with an affordable waterfront escape. Unlike the "weird fancy members clubs" that dominate the Manhattan social scene, this would be a community-focused space where families can hang out on the water. Implementing a pool on a floating vessel, however, presents significant maritime regulations challenges regarding weight distribution and water filtration.
A Floating Hotel and Cinema
Pete Davidson has previously mentioned plans for a multi-use complex including:
- A boutique hotel with "boat-cabin" aesthetics
- A full-service restaurant and bar
- A movie theater and concert venue
The Miami Winter Migration
One of the more logistically daring plans involves "tugging" the ferry to Miami during the winter months. Because the JFK’s original engines are largely decommissioned or too inefficient for long-haul travel, the vessel functions essentially as a "floating building." The fuel cost and logistics of a tugboat escort from New York to Florida would be immense, but it would allow the Titanic 2 LLC to generate revenue year-round in two of the world's most lucrative markets.
Technical Challenges and the 'Gentrification' Debate
From a technical standpoint, the JFK ferry is a marvel of 1960s engineering, but repurposing it for modern commercial use is a nightmare of maritime regulations. A maritime engineer's primary concern for a "floating swim club" is the "free surface effect"—the movement of water in a pool can create dangerous instability in a ship. Furthermore, the JFK ferry historical significance means that any renovations must balance modern luxury with the preservation of its iconic orange-and-blue silhouette.
There is also the matter of celebrity real estate tax write-offs and the optics of the project. While Jost and Davidson frame this as a love letter to their hometown, some Staten Island residents view the "gentrification" of their former commute vessel with a hint of irony. The ship that once carried thousands of working-class commuters daily is now being reimagined as a playground for the Manhattan elite, even if Jost insists on a "middle-class" price point.
Key Takeaways: The Future of the Jost-Davidson Ferry
- Scarlett Johansson's skepticism has softened as the project has gained professional traction, though she still jokes about needing a "GoFundMe" for the family investment.
- The business model relies on the boat being a "floating building" rather than a functioning ship, saving on the astronomical costs of engine repair and maritime fuel.
- Revenue generation has already begun through private events and fashion partnerships, challenging the narrative that the boat is a total financial loss.
- Logistical hurdles remain, specifically regarding permanent docking permits in Manhattan and the environmental impact of maintaining a vintage vessel on the Hudson River.
Conclusion: A High-Stakes Comedy of Errors
Whether the Colin Jost Staten Island Ferry Scarlett Johansson saga ends in a triumphant ribbon-cutting or a quiet sale back to the scrap yard remains to be seen. However, Jost’s refusal to "abandon ship" suggests that there is more than just pride on the line. By treating the John F. Kennedy ferry boat as a 70,000-square-foot piece of floating real estate rather than a nautical hobby, the Titanic 2 LLC is attempting one of the most audacious "upcycling" projects in New York City history.
As Jost noted, "You’re going to be BEGGING to get on this ferry in two years." For now, the world—and Scarlett Johansson—is watching to see if this "dumb purchase" can actually stay afloat in the cutthroat world of New York development.
