Astoria

Waterfront living in NYC: Inside resort-style rentals in every borough

Photo by Mike Sinko on Flickr

May 29, 2026

Waterfront living in NYC: Inside resort-style rentals in every borough

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Waterfronts across New York City are being developed, many with ultra-luxe high-rise condos with sweeping views. But thanks to rezoning and climate resiliency efforts, as well as the launch of NYC Ferry almost a decade ago, several rental buildings have popped up along shorelines in every borough, making resort-style living slightly more attainable. With beautiful views and amenities to match, and now, a quicker commute via new, expanded ferry service, riverside (and seaside!) living in New York is more appealing than ever. To explore what waterfront life is really like in NYC, we took a look at a few rentals along the water's edge, from glassy high-rises in Greenpoint to modern homes a block from the beach in the Rockaways.
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Astoria’s 31st Street bike lane must be removed, judge rules

Credit: DOT

December 9, 2025

Astoria’s 31st Street bike lane must be removed, judge rules

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A partially-installed protected bike lane along 31st Street in Astoria must be removed after a Queens judge ruled the city failed to follow proper procedures. In a ruling issued Friday, Judge Cheree Buggs ordered that the corridor be returned to its original state, despite work on the project already being underway. The judge found that the Department of Transportation (DOT) failed to show the project met legal certification requirements for notifying the FDNY, the Department of Small Business Services, and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. The court sided with local businesses and residents who filed the lawsuit, which argued the bike lane would compromise the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, despite city data suggesting otherwise, as Streetsblog reported.
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The best Long Island City and Astoria apartments with skyline views

Photo by Harry Gillen on Unsplash

December 8, 2025

The best Long Island City and Astoria apartments with skyline views

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Few New York City neighborhoods have changed as dramatically as Long Island City. In just two decades, the Queens neighborhood has gone from an industrial hub to a mini Midtown, with gleaming, glassy skyscrapers and thousands of new residents. Thanks to several city rezonings (and another just approved) that allow for more housing, the neighborhood's population has increased by 78 percent over the last 10 years, as City Limits reported. With soaring high-rises come sweeping views of the iconic NYC skyline, seen from new heights. If spectacular vistas top your list of apartment must-haves, these are some of the best rental buildings in LIC and Astoria with unbeatable skyline views.
find your sky-high home
230-unit housing project coming to site of abandoned Astoria megaproject

Streetview of 42-08 35th Avenue © 2022 Google

November 7, 2025

230-unit housing project coming to site of abandoned Astoria megaproject

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A site in Astoria once slated for a 3,200-unit development will now be home to a handful of residential buildings with just over 230 apartments. As first reported by Crain's, the Hakimian Organization and CW Realty have filed plans for a 16-story building at 35-17 42nd Street and a 13-story building at 42-08 35th Avenue, on the former site of the $2 billion Innovation QNS megaproject. The ambitious housing project was scrapped in September amid financing challenges following the expiration of the 421-a tax break and uncertainty surrounding its replacement, the 485x program.
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$2B Astoria project with 3,200 units scrapped, scaled-down tower planned

Rendering of the proposed Innovation QNS district; courtesy of VERO Digital

September 3, 2025

$2B Astoria project with 3,200 units scrapped, scaled-down tower planned

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A huge development that would have brought more than 3,000 units to Astoria has been scrapped. Silverstein Properties has withdrawn from Innovation QNS—a proposed 3,200-unit, $2 billion complex spanning five blocks— citing financing challenges tied to the expiration of the 421-a tax break and its replacement, the 485x program, as reported by Crain’s. While the larger plan has collapsed, remaining partners BedRock Real Estate Partners and L+M Development filed plans last week for a 560-unit building on one of the original sites.
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New public waterfront esplanade opens at Astoria residential complex

All photos courtesy of Jeremy Frechette/The Durst Organization

August 12, 2025

New public waterfront esplanade opens at Astoria residential complex

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A previously industrial stretch of the East River in Astoria has been transformed into a vibrant public waterfront esplanade, restoring access to the area for the first time in decades. On Monday, the Durst Organization celebrated the opening of the Halletts Point esplanade, located beside the developer’s 20 and 30 Halletts Point buildings. Designed by Starr Whitehouse, the 50,000-square-foot waterfront green space offers sweeping city skyline views, lots of seating, a playground, and picnic areas.
see it here
Astoria’s 31st Avenue gets two-way bike boulevard, more pedestrian space

Images courtesy of NYC DOT

July 7, 2025

Astoria’s 31st Avenue gets two-way bike boulevard, more pedestrian space

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The first round of pedestrian and cyclist safety upgrades along 31st Avenue in Astoria is now complete, with more improvements on the way. On Thursday, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the completion of the first phase of the corridor’s transformation into a bike boulevard, including a new east-west protected bike connection from Vernon Boulevard to Steinway Street that creates a continuous protected route from Astoria to the Queensboro Bridge. The project also expands pedestrian space, upgrades intersections to slow turning vehicles, and adds new public seating.
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41 middle-income apartments available at huge development on Astoria waterfront, from $3,261/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 18, 2025

41 middle-income apartments available at huge development on Astoria waterfront, from $3,261/month

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Applications are now being accepted for 41 middle-income apartments in two new residential towers on the Astoria waterfront. Located at 20 and 30 Halletts Point, the buildings are part of the second phase of the massive Halletts Point development, which aims to deliver over 2,000 new homes. The towers offer tenants brand-new, modern residences with stunning views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. New Yorkers earning 120 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $3,261/month studios to $4,194/month two bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Luxury rental in Astoria launches lottery for 90 apartments, from $828/month

Rendering courtesy of MNS

November 13, 2024

Luxury rental in Astoria launches lottery for 90 apartments, from $828/month

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Applications are now being accepted for 90 mixed-income apartments in a new luxury rental building in Astoria. Located at 34-35 44th Street on the border of Long Island City, the 13-story Hearthstone offers residents thoughtfully designed units with top-tier amenities, blocks from bustling Steinway Street. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 100, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, with one bedrooms ranging from $828/month to 3,298/month and two bedrooms from $967/month to $2,768/month.
learn if you qualify
New Astoria rental launches lottery for 28 middle-income apartments, from $2,275/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

October 1, 2024

New Astoria rental launches lottery for 28 middle-income apartments, from $2,275/month

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On a central Astoria block, a brand new rental is launching a lottery for below market-rate apartments. At 29th Street and Broadway, the Amara offers high-end apartments and amenities, including a parking garage and electric vehicle charging. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the 28 middle-income apartments, priced from $2,275/month studios to $3,700/month two-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?
Astoria rental opens lottery for 43 luxury apartments, from $1,974/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

September 18, 2024

Astoria rental opens lottery for 43 luxury apartments, from $1,974/month

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A housing lottery opened for 43 mixed-income apartments at a new residential development in Astoria. Located at 21-11 31st Avenue, the seven-story building offers luxury living, easy access to Manhattan, and endless dining, retail, and entertainment options. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the one-bedroom apartments, priced at $1,974/month and $2,600/month.
find out if you qualify
This $1.4M Astoria home is all about flexible, fabulous, and fun townhouse living

Photo credit: Russ Ross Photography for The Corcoran Group

April 10, 2024

This $1.4M Astoria home is all about flexible, fabulous, and fun townhouse living

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Astoria has become a favorite for home buyers seeking urban townhouse living and a (relatively) affordable chance to expand beyond cramped quarters while staying in a vibrant New York City neighborhood. This multi-family townhouse at 23-23 33rd Road, asking $1,399,000, checks all the boxes. Built in 1945, this three-floor brick home offers incredible flexibility: Currently configured as a floor-through one-bedroom atop an owner's duplex, it could easily work as a single four-bedroom home, or a single residence with a separate garden-floor guest/in-law/teen suite. Completing the picture are a back garden, patios, a private parking spot, and a heated garage.
take the townhouse tour
50 middle-income apartments available on the Astoria waterfront, from $3,105/month

Renderings courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Development and Preservation

March 22, 2024

50 middle-income apartments available on the Astoria waterfront, from $3,105/month

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Applications are now being accepted for 50 middle-income apartments at a new residential development on the Astoria waterfront. Located at 26-25 4th Street, The Winslow offers brand-new luxury apartments and breathtaking waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $106,458 for a single person and $198,250 for a household of five, can apply for the units, which range from $3,105/month studios to $3,963/month two bedrooms.
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NYC Council approves two projects that together bring 5,000 apartments to Brooklyn and Queens

Rendering of the proposed Innovation QNS district. Image courtesy of VERO Digital

November 23, 2022

NYC Council approves two projects that together bring 5,000 apartments to Brooklyn and Queens

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The New York City Council on Tuesday voted to approve rezonings Innovation QNS in Astoria and Innovative Urban Village in East New York, two mixed-use districts that will create more than 5,000 units of housing, with 65 percent of them designated affordable. Over 34 percent, or 1,900 of the new housing units, will be deeply affordable for extremely or very low-income households.
Details here
Two major projects that would bring 3,200+ affordable homes to Brooklyn and Queens get key approval

Rendering of the proposed Innovation QNS district. Image courtesy of VERO Digital

November 18, 2022

Two major projects that would bring 3,200+ affordable homes to Brooklyn and Queens get key approval

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Two major housing developments proposed for Brooklyn and Queens are moving forward. The New York City Council Committee on Zoning and Franchises on Thursday voted to approve rezonings Innovation QNS and Innovative Urban Village, which together would create more than 5,000 units of housing, 3,200 of which would be affordable. The two developments also include over 1,600 apartments for extremely or very low-income households.
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Queens’ first planetarium will open in Astoria

Rendering courtesy of Senator Michael Gianaris on Flickr

September 23, 2022

Queens’ first planetarium will open in Astoria

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Queens' first planetarium will open in Astoria, New York State Sen. Michael Gianaris announced on Thursday. Using a $1 million state grant, the planetarium will be built as part of a major renovation of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ). Construction on the planetarium will begin next year and is expected to be completed in 2026.
See more here
Lottery opens for 145 affordable units at huge waterfront development in Astoria, from $665/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

September 23, 2022

Lottery opens for 145 affordable units at huge waterfront development in Astoria, from $665/month

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Applications are now being accepted for 145 affordable units at a major mixed-use project under construction in Astoria. Located at 3-24 27th Avenue, the 100-percent affordable, 14-story building is part of the Durst Organization's Halletts Point development on the East River waterfront. New Yorkers earning 40 and 60 percent of the area median income, or between $25,372 for a single person and $86,460 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the rent-stabilized apartments, which range from $665/month studios to $1,601/month two bedrooms.
FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY
Construction begins on Socrates Sculpture Park’s permanent home made of shipping containers

Rendering of The Cubes at Socrates Sculpture Park, courtesy LOT-EK

September 22, 2022

Construction begins on Socrates Sculpture Park’s permanent home made of shipping containers

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NYC Parks and Socrates Sculpture Park broke ground this week on "The Cubes," a two-story building that will be the first permanent structure in the Astoria park's 30-year history. The 2,640-square-foot facility will house programming, administrative offices, community work, and arts education. Designed by architecture studio LOT-EK, the $5,735,000 project will be created using recycled shipping containers to honor the neighborhood's "industrial roots," according to a press release. Construction is expected to finish in early 2024.
See more here
Proposed $2B mixed-use district with 2,800 new apartments in Astoria moves forward

Renderings by VERO Digital

September 22, 2022

Proposed $2B mixed-use district with 2,800 new apartments in Astoria moves forward

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A plan to build a large-scale development with 2,800 apartments in Astoria is moving forward. The City Planning Commission on Wednesday voted in favor of Innovation QNS, a $2 billion mixed-use district proposed for five blocks in the Queens neighborhood, spanning 37th Street to Northern Boulevard, between 35th and 36th Avenues. The project will then head to the City Council for a final vote where it may face resistance from the local representative, Council Member Julie Won, who said she wants at least 50 percent of the apartments to be affordable.
Details here
126 middle-income units available at waterfront rental Astoria West, from $2,350/month

Rendering courtesy of Binyan Studio

September 12, 2022

126 middle-income units available at waterfront rental Astoria West, from $2,350/month

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Applications are now being accepted for 126 middle-income units at a new residential development in Queens. Developed by Cape Advisors, Astoria West, located on Vernon Boulevard and 30th Drive, includes three buildings across 2.5 acres along the East River. The housing lottery falls under the project's second phase; a lottery launched at the building in March for 36 units. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $80,572 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced from $2,350/month for studios to $3,287/month for two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Leasing launches at waterfront rental Astoria West, with apartments priced from $2,920/month

Rendering: Binyan Studio

June 21, 2022

Leasing launches at waterfront rental Astoria West, with apartments priced from $2,920/month

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A new three-building development in Astoria with hundreds of apartments officially launched leasing on Tuesday. Developed by Cape Advisors, Astoria West, located at 30-77 Vernon Boulevard faces the tiny urban "beach" Hallet's Cove and contains 534 rentals and more than 40,000 square feet of amenities. Available units range from studios to two bedrooms, priced from $2,920/month.
Check it out
Lottery opens for 35 units at new Astoria building designed for low-income seniors

Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

April 13, 2022

Lottery opens for 35 units at new Astoria building designed for low-income seniors

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A housing lottery opened this week for 35 very-low-income units at a new development in Queens. Located at 23-11 31st Road in Astoria, the Bishop Valero Residence is a six-story building designed with senior residents in mind. Developed by Catholic Charities and designed by Dattner Architects, the project includes on-site supportive social services accessible through the ground floor's 200-seat community senior center. New Yorkers who are 62 years or older and earn 40 or 50 percent of the area median income, (no more than $33,440 annually for a single person or no more than $53,700 for a household of three) can apply for the units.
Do you qualify?
36 middle-income units available at new waterfront rental in Astoria, from $2,250/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 18, 2022

36 middle-income units available at new waterfront rental in Astoria, from $2,250/month

By
A housing lottery opened this week for 36 middle-income units at a new residential development in Queens. Developed by Cape Advisors and designed by Fogarty Finger, Astoria West at 30-77 Vernon Boulevard consists of three buildings across 2.5 acres along the waterfront. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $77,143 for a single person to $167,570 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,250/month one-bedrooms to $2,950/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify
Futuristic movie studio designed by Bjarke Ingels moves forward in Astoria

All images by Synosis, courtesy of BIG

February 14, 2022

Futuristic movie studio designed by Bjarke Ingels moves forward in Astoria

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Construction of a massive $600 million movie studio in Queens backed by actor Robert De Niro can officially begin after the city granted the project a building permit earlier this month. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Wildflower Studios will measure roughly 775,000 square feet on a five-acre lot in Astoria, next to the Steinway Pianos manufacturing warehouse. The seven-story building is considered to be the world's first "vertical commercial film, television, and film studio," according to the architects.
Get the details
The 30+ best neighborhood shops in NYC for finding the perfect gift

Photo credits clockwise from top left: Park Deli; Frankie Marin/Verameat; Quality Goods; Michele Varian

December 10, 2021

The 30+ best neighborhood shops in NYC for finding the perfect gift

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We've been shopping online for what seems like forever, and there's not a thing wrong with it–except when we crave that amazing experience of finding just the right thing and getting to take it with us now. While brick-and-mortar shops aren't going away anytime soon, we appreciate the good ones that much more. If you're lucky enough to live in New York City–where shopping is high art–some of the best shops on the planet could be just around the corner from where you live. You're sure to find something fabulous for everyone on your list among the local addresses below.
Amazing local NYC shops, this way
Apply for 43 affordable units at new amenity-rich rental in Long Island City, from $2,050/month

All renderings courtesy of Astor LIC

February 5, 2021

Apply for 43 affordable units at new amenity-rich rental in Long Island City, from $2,050/month

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At the crossroads of two of Queens' most sought-after neighborhoods, Long Island City and Astoria, an affordable housing lottery has just launched for 43 units. The new, lifestyle-forward rental development, located at 36-20 Steinway Street and dubbed Astor LIC, offers studios, one-, and two-bedroom residences, all of which were designed with luxury in mind. In addition, the amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, co-working space, and two rooftop terraces with views of the Manhattan skyline. The affordable units range from $2,050 to $3,100 per month and are available to those earning 130 percent of the area median income.
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46th Street subway station turned into Joe Biden tribute

Photo by Adrian Wilson / @plannedalism

January 21, 2021

46th Street subway station turned into Joe Biden tribute

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Street artist Adrian Wilson decided to mark the momentousness of yesterday with a special NYC-themed tribute to our new President. At the 46th Street subway station in Astoria, he used stickers to change the "46th St" mosaic to read "46th Joe" with a change to the directional below to read "45th Out." In his Instagram post, Wilson wrote, "Total cost including 4 train rides, $12. Anyone could have done it. But I had to do it. For Joe."
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