Jamaica

Nearly 12,000 new homes are coming to Jamaica, Queens, following the City Council’s approval of the neighborhood’s transformative rezoning on Wednesday. The Jamaica Neighborhood Plan updates zoning rules across 230 blocks of the transit-rich area, paving the way for thousands of new homes—roughly 4,000 of which would be permanently affordable. The plan, which includes the largest mapping of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) in the city, will also add two million square feet of commercial space, create more than 7,000 jobs, and deliver $400 million in infrastructure upgrades.
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Jamaica rental with sculpture garden opens lottery for 185 apartments, from $1,843/month

Credit: Bezier

October 8, 2025

Jamaica rental with sculpture garden opens lottery for 185 apartments, from $1,843/month

Applications are now being accepted for 185 mixed-income apartments at a massive development in Jamaica, Queens. Located at 166-20 90th Avenue, the two-building complex dubbed Ruby Square has over 600 apartments and nearly one acre of lush public and private outdoor spaces, including a tranquil interior courtyard with a sculpture garden. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, with rents starting at $2,688/month for studios, $1,843/month for one-bedrooms, and $2,188/month for two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Yonkers and Jamaica casino proposals advance

Rendering courtesy of MGM Resorts

September 26, 2025

Yonkers and Jamaica casino proposals advance

After several high-profile New York City casino proposals were rejected this month, two bids, in Queens and Yonkers, have advanced in the approval process. On Thursday, Resorts World NYC in Jamaica and MGM Empire City in Yonkers won unanimous approval from community advisory committees, sending the proposals to the state board. Both bids aim to convert existing gaming facilities into full-scale casinos, unlike other remaining plans, such as those in the Bronx and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, which include entirely new developments.
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Policy

Rare Constitution copy on display in Queens for one weekend only

Images courtesy of Christie’s

September 19, 2025

Rare Constitution copy on display in Queens for one weekend only

As the right to free speech makes headlines following the Trump administration's attack on late-night show hosts, what better time to revisit the Constitution? A rare draft of the document will be on display at the King Manor Museum in Jamaica, home to founding father Rufus King, for this weekend only. The draft has King's handwritten edits and marks the first time the words "We the people of the United States," were included. The free public exhibition, held September 19 through September 21, is presented by Christie's auction house, ahead of its annual Americana sale in January.
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Events & Things To Do

Live across from the AirTrain at new Jamaica high-rise, from $2,065/month

Credit: NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

June 19, 2025

Live across from the AirTrain at new Jamaica high-rise, from $2,065/month

Whether you're a frequent flyer or want a speedy commute to Midtown, this new Jamaica rental across from the Long Island Rail Road and the AirTrain to JFK Airport offers brand-new apartments in a convenient location. A housing lottery launched this week for 90 low-income apartments at 94-15 Sutphin Boulevard, a 24-story building with a fitness center, rooftop, playroom, dog spa, on-site garage, and more. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $2,065/month studios to $3,021/month three bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Vacant and overrun by feral cats, Trump’s childhood home in Queens sells at huge discount

All photos courtesy of Paramount Realty USA

March 28, 2025

Vacant and overrun by feral cats, Trump’s childhood home in Queens sells at huge discount

President Donald Trump's childhood home in Jamaica Estates has traded hands for significantly less than its previous sales price after falling into disrepair and becoming overrun by feral cats. As first reported by the New York Post, the Tudor-style residence at 85-15 Wareham Place sold for $835,000 on March 3—less than half of its 2017 sale price of $2.14 million, according to the deed.
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Real Estate Trends

Former JFK Airport hotel launches lottery for 125 affordable apartments, from $784/month

Rendering of the indoor/outdoor garden planned for residents at Baisley Pond Park Residences. Courtesy of OSD

March 24, 2025

Former JFK Airport hotel launches lottery for 125 affordable apartments, from $784/month

A former hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport that has been converted into a housing development launched a lottery last week for 125 affordable apartments. Located at the former JFK Hilton in South Jamaica, the Baisley Pond Park Residences includes over 300 affordable and supportive housing units, a 2,400-square-foot healing garden, and on-site social services. New Yorkers earning 50 and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $784/month for studios to $1,493/month for two bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

NYC’s plan to rezone Jamaica calls for 12,000 new homes

Jamaica Avenue and 165th Street. All images courtesy of DCP

March 20, 2025

NYC’s plan to rezone Jamaica calls for 12,000 new homes

New York City is moving forward with a new rezoning initiative that could bring more than 12,000 new homes to downtown Jamaica, Queens. On Thursday, the Department of City Planning (DCP) began the approval process for the plan, which looks to rezone about 300 blocks in the neighborhood to allow for thousands of new homes, including 4,000 units that would be income-restricted. If approved, the rezoning would create the city's largest Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area, add two million square feet of commercial space, and generate more than 7,000 new jobs, according to the Queens Eagle.
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182 apartments available at huge luxury high-rise in Jamaica, from $1,596/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

September 6, 2024

182 apartments available at huge luxury high-rise in Jamaica, from $1,596/month

Applications are now being accepted for 182 mixed-income apartments at a new luxury rental tower in Jamaica, Queens. Located at 163-05 Archer Avenue, the Monarch is a 24-story building with 605 apartments, state-of-the-art amenities, and retail space. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $1,596/month for one-bedroom units to $3,753/month for two bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Vacant hotel near JFK Airport to become 300+ permanently affordable apartments

Rendering of the indoor/outdoor garden planned for residents at Baisley Pond Park Residences. Courtesy of OSD

December 18, 2023

Vacant hotel near JFK Airport to become 300+ permanently affordable apartments

An empty hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens will be converted into a permanently affordable housing development with 300 apartments. Slate Property Group, RiseBoro Community Partnership, and the city's Housing Development Corporation on Monday announced the acquisition of the former JFK Hilton Hotel for $64 million, the first step in converting the vacant hotel into homes for low-income households and formerly homeless New Yorkers. Construction is expected to kick off next month.
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MTA installs new turnstiles designed to stop fare evasion

Photo courtesy of Ray Raimundi / MTA on Flickr

December 5, 2023

MTA installs new turnstiles designed to stop fare evasion

The traditional turnstiles at a subway station in Queens have been fully replaced with new wide-aisle fare gates, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Monday. Designed to increase accessibility and prevent fare evasion, the new fare gates were deployed at the Sutphin Boulevard Archer Avenue-JFK Airport subway station in Jamaica. The fare gates replace the emergency exit gate at the end of the station; more than half of all fare evasion occurs through these emergency gates, according to the MTA.
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Next to a transit hub and historic park in Jamaica, 67 mixed-income luxury units are available, from $1,585/month

Rendering courtesy of Zara Realty

October 24, 2023

Next to a transit hub and historic park in Jamaica, 67 mixed-income luxury units are available, from $1,585/month

A new rental in Queens is now accepting applications for 67 mixed-income apartments. Located at 153-10 88th Avenue in the heart of Jamaica, The 88 includes luxury units and amenities, including two landscaped rooftop decks. The building sits next to Rufus King Park and is near several public transit lines. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $57,292 for a single person annually and $198,250 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, which range from $1,585/month studios to $3,075/month two bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

July 12, 2023

New migrant shelter in Clinton Hill could serve at least 2,000 people

New York City is opening two more emergency shelters to accommodate the thousands of migrants that continue to arrive in the five boroughs, one of which is set to become the largest dormitory-style shelter in the city's history. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced the opening of two more humanitarian relief shelters, one at an existing respite center at 47 Hall Street in Brooklyn, which adds additional space to serve roughly 1,400 more migrant adults, and another at the Crowne Plaza JFK Airport New York hotel in Queens, which will serve more than 330 families with children seeking asylum.
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Policy

Project transforming run-down city buildings into ‘green’ affordable housing kicks off in Queens

Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

March 10, 2022

Project transforming run-down city buildings into ‘green’ affordable housing kicks off in Queens

Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced a milestone has been reached in a major project designed to improve quality of life and tackle the affordable housing crisis in Southeast Queens. Construction has begun on "Habitat Net Zero," a project that will transform 13 run-down buildings owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) into 16 green homes for affordable homeownership.
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Apply for 95 middle-income units at Jamaica rental with sweeping skyline views, from $1,550/month

Images courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 22, 2022

Apply for 95 middle-income units at Jamaica rental with sweeping skyline views, from $1,550/month

Nearly 100 new middle-income units are up for grabs at a new residential tower in Queens. Located at 160-05 Archer Ave in Jamaica, One Archer provides its residents with easy access to Manhattan and a wide variety of amenities, including a rooftop with impressive views. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $54,858 annually for a single person or $167,570 annually for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,550/month studios to $2,345/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

353 mixed-income apartments available at 25-story rental in Jamaica, from $683/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

December 8, 2021

353 mixed-income apartments available at 25-story rental in Jamaica, from $683/month

A housing lottery opened this week for over 350 units of mixed-income housing in Jamaica, Queens. The luxury 25-story rental, called Alvista Rise, is located at 147-25 94th Avenue, across the street from a major train station, home to the subway, Long Island Air Road, and AirTrain to JFK Airport. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 50, 120, and 165 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $683/month for studios and up to $2,804/month for two-bedroom units.
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Affordable Housing

New rental with 400 units of affordable housing and a grocery store opens in Jamaica

Rendering courtesy of Omni New York

December 2, 2021

New rental with 400 units of affordable housing and a grocery store opens in Jamaica

A new rental with nearly 400 affordable apartments and a low-cost grocery store officially opened in Jamaica, Queens this week. Located at 92-23 168th Street, Archer Green was developed by Omni New York and designed by ESKW/Architects. The development has 389 total apartments across two towers, one at 23 stories and the other at 20 stories, and will be home to an ALDI grocery store and 15,000 square feet of community space.
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Affordable Housing

Lottery opens for 69 affordable apartments next to Jamaica’s Rufus King Park, from $1,599/month

Rendering courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

October 14, 2021

Lottery opens for 69 affordable apartments next to Jamaica’s Rufus King Park, from $1,599/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 69 apartments designated for New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income. Located at 153-19 Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, the newly constructed 19-story building sits across from the historic Rufus King Park and is also just one block from the subway. Available apartments include 37 studios priced at $1,599/month and 32 one-bedrooms for $1,708/month.
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Affordable Housing

September 22, 2021

27 affordable senior studios available in Jamaica, Queens, from $683/month

In Jamaica, Queens, an affordable housing lottery has launched for 27 studios set aside for those age 62+. Reserved for seniors earning 40 or 50 percent of the area median income, the units are renting for $522 or $683/month; there are also eight units for which applicants will pay 30 percent of their household income in rent. The building is located at 161-01 89th Avenue, just a few blocks from the E and F trains at Parson Avenue.
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Affordable Housing

Apply for 33 middle-income apartments in downtown Jamaica, Queens, from $1,726/month

Rendering courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

September 2, 2021

Apply for 33 middle-income apartments in downtown Jamaica, Queens, from $1,726/month

A new affordable housing lottery has launched for 33 middle-income units at a new rental building in downtown Jamaica. Located at 148-37 88th Avenue, the building is convenient to public transportation and offers "one of the most panoramic views available in Queens," according to the posting. Those earning 130 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the units, which range from $1,726/month studios to $3,612/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Lottery opens for 124 apartments at former historic hospital site in Jamaica, from $885/month

Courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

April 14, 2021

Lottery opens for 124 apartments at former historic hospital site in Jamaica, from $885/month

Applications are currently being accepted for 124 mixed-income units at the "T building," a former hospital in Jamaica Hills, Queens that has been converted into apartments. Located at 82-41 Parsons Boulevard, the 10-story building features amenities like a library and computer room, outdoor sun terraces, a gym, and a shared laundry room. New Yorkers earning 60 and 100 percent of the area median income (AMI) can apply for the income-restricted units, which range from $885/month studios to $2,215/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Apply for 166 affordable apartments at new Passive House in Jamaica, from $667/month

Rendering of Tree of Life, Courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

March 15, 2021

Apply for 166 affordable apartments at new Passive House in Jamaica, from $667/month

In Jamaica, Queens, 166 affordable apartments are now up for grabs at Tree of Life, a new mixed-use Passive House project at 89-46 164th Street. In addition to its residential component, the building offers community facility and social service spaces, a health center, and it is adjacent to the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica (the oldest continuously serving Presbyterian church in the United States). The available units range from $667/month studios to $2,264/month three-bedrooms and are available to those earning 50, 60, 90, and 120 percent of the area median income.
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Affordable Housing

FEMA community-based vaccination sites open in Brooklyn and Queens this week

Photo by Jules Antonio on Wikimedia

February 22, 2021

FEMA community-based vaccination sites open in Brooklyn and Queens this week

Two coronavirus vaccination sites run by the state with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open in Queens and Brooklyn on Wednesday, with appointments set aside for residents of specific ZIP codes. Appointment slots opened over the weekend for vaccinations at Medgar Evers College in Crown Heights and York College in Jamaica, starting this Wednesday. According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, there are many appointments still up for grabs.
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Policy

Lottery opens for 351 mixed-income apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $524/month

Rendering courtesy of Omni New York

February 18, 2021

Lottery opens for 351 mixed-income apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $524/month

Applications are now being accepted for 351 mixed-income apartments at a new rental building in Jamaica, Queens. Dubbed Archer Green, the development is located at 92-23 168th Street and will feature 15,000 square feet of community space and more than 68,000 square feet of retail. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 100, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, ranging from $524/month studios to $2,638/month three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Last-ditch effort to sell Trump’s childhood home in Queens before Inauguration Day

Image courtesy of Paramount Realty USA

January 19, 2021

Last-ditch effort to sell Trump’s childhood home in Queens before Inauguration Day

By 6sqft

The boyhood Queens home of President Donald Trump is making a last-ditch effort to find a buyer before Trump leaves the White House. Paramount Realty USA has once again put the home on the auction block with the auction date set for tomorrow, the date Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Though it's listed as a sealed bid auction, Paramount Realty founder Misha Haghani told NY1, "The seller is prepared to take $3 million today, tomorrow, next week."
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Celebrities

Art Deco P.S. 48 becomes the first historic landmark in South Jamaica, Queens

Photo courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission

September 22, 2020

Art Deco P.S. 48 becomes the first historic landmark in South Jamaica, Queens