Astoria

Image courtesy of STUDIO V Architecture

April 3, 2017

Queens Astoria Cove waterfront site on the market for $350 million ahead of expected 421-a renewal

A 2.2 million-square-foot mixed-use development site known as Astoria Cove, on nearly nine acres along the East River in Astoria, is seeking a buyer, asking $350 million, Crain's reports. The site hit the market in mid-March in anticipation of the reinstatement of the 421-a affordable housing tax credit program that had languished since its expiration over a year ago amid debates between the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and unions on whether to require higher wages in certain cases. Alma Realty Corp. hired Cushman & Wakefield investment company to market the site; according to sales executive Bob Knakal, "We wouldn't have hit the market with Astoria Cove in the past 16 months because of the uncertainty around 421-a, but there's been a sense of optimism in recent weeks that 421-a will be back and with it, the land market will strengthen."
Find out more

February 21, 2017

Astoria is NYC’s top ‘hood for millennials seeking roommates

By Dana Schulz

Roommate app Roomi recently compiled data based on the 20 to 36-year-olds searching for someone with whom to split the rent, and the top neighborhood for this trend is Astoria. DNAinfo shared the analysis, which found that nearly 38 percent of Roomi's users looked for housing in the up-and-coming Queens 'hood, and each applicant in this area gets about 20 applicants, almost double all other neighborhoods.
What other 'hoods top the list?

Real Estate Trends

November 30, 2016

The 15 best NYC holiday markets and indie pop-up shops

By Michelle Cohen

December's first days bring a dazzling parade of holiday gift markets all vying for the opportunity to find new homes for a bounty of goodies and crafty gifts. We're all familiar with the big NYC markets at Bryant Park and Union Square, but some of the best finds—and the most fun—can be found at smaller, cooler pop-ups and neighborhood markets. Some are only around for a weekend, others for the whole month or longer. In addition to locally-made jewelry and crafts, vintage finds, artfully curated fashions, home items and other things we didn't know we needed, these hip retail outposts sparkle with drinks, food, workshops, tarot readings, nail art, music, and family fun to keep shoppers' spirits bright.
Find out where to get the goods

September 12, 2016

Apply today for six units in prime Astoria, starting from $1,158/month

By Dana Schulz

Starting today, qualified New Yorkers can apply for six affordable apartments at 28-22 Astoria Boulevard, a new mixed-use building just two blocks away from the Astoria Boulevard N, Q station and three blocks from the popular Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden. The seven-story, red-brick corner rental has 25 apartments with retail on the ground floor. The affordable units, reserved for those earning between 60 and 80 percent of the AMI, are three $1,158/month studios and three $1,330/month one-bedrooms, quite the deal considering market-rate units in the building are renting for around $3,000/month for one-bedrooms and $4,300/month for two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify here

Affordable Housing

July 6, 2016

The History of Bowery Bay Beach, the ‘Coney Island of Queens’

By Dana Schulz

This past holiday weekend, New Yorkers flocked to Coney Island for the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, the fireworks display, and to enjoy the beach and boardwalk. For some, though, traveling all the way out to the end of Brooklyn with beach chairs and coolers is daunting, which is why it's sad to learn that back in the 19th century, there was another amusement destination in the city, at the site of present-day LaGuardia Airport. Bowery Bay Beach (later named North Beach) opened in 1886 on the shores of Bowery and Flushing Bays. Built by noted piano manufacturer William Steinway in partnership with brewer George Ehret, it included beaches, swimming pavilions, a huge beer hall, zoo, and the Gala Amusement Park. At one time it was more popular than the parks in Brooklyn, earning it the moniker "the Coney Island of Queens."
So what happened?

History

June 30, 2016

Apply Today for Six $947/Month Apartments in Astoria’s Artsy Welling Court

By Dana Schulz

Welling Court is a tiny enclave in Astoria, tucked between 30th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard, near the base of Astoria Park. It's best known for the funky street art that adorns its building's walls. Organized by the Welling Court Mural Project, there are now more than 140 murals from international artists, and each June the group puts on a huge block party to celebrate that year's art. If this arsty community appeals to you, a new rental building has recently gone up in Welling Court, and it comes with six low-income apartments that are now up for grabs through the city's housing lottery. 11-07 Welling Court is a six-story, 27-unit building from Architects Studio and developer Halil Todic. The affordable residences, created through the city's 421-a program, are $947 a month for individuals earning between $32,469 and $38,100 annually or two-person households earning between $32,469 and $43,500.
More info

March 22, 2016

Apply for 83 Affordable Apartments in Astoria, Starting at $895/Month

By Dana Schulz

The affordable housing lottery has commenced for 83 brand new apartments at the Steinway Estates in Astoria, per the NYC HPD. Units will range from $895/month studios to $2,586/month three-bedrooms, with annual income requirements varying from $32,023 for a single-person household to $130,260 for a six-person household. The development at 19-80 Steinway Street is on the edge of the Steinway IBZ (Industrial Business Zone) and was originally known as the Vesta or Vesta Q when it first surfaced as a mixed-use project back in 2008. Exact details on the building aren't clear, but renderings from Garrett Gourlay Architect show a four-story, corner-lot structure with landscaped outdoor areas and contemporary apartments.
Find out more about Steinway Estates

Affordable Housing

January 15, 2016

Introducing Astoria’s Newest Rental Building: The ‘L’ @ 31st Drive

By Heather Cooper Vivares

Future Astoria renters, meet The "L" @ 31st Drive. Located on a sedate block at 23-36 31st Drive, the "L" is a brand-new 22-unit building with rentals ranging from $2,000/month studios to $3,200/month two-bedrooms. The design hewn by Gerald Caliendo Architects features a modern concrete and glass exterior rising five stories in height. Complementing its streamlined exterior, interiors boast floor-to-ceiling windows, light hardwood floors, clean white walls, and stainless steel appliances.
See more here

January 12, 2016

Residential Projects Surface Along the Astoria Waterfront Ahead of New Ferry Service

By Ondel Hylton

The Astoria waterfront is poised to become the city's next high-density residential enclave, with more than 4,000 apartments planned within the Astoria Cove and Hallets Point developments alone. Just to the south, and more modest in scale, a six-story, 65-unit condominium building is preparing to rise from a block-through site at 30-05 Vernon Boulevard. City records indicate 3005 Vernon BLVD Joint Venture LLC purchased the lot for $3 million in 2014, and filed demolition permits in November to raze the existing one-story warehouse. Renderings provided by the building's architect, Young Kim of Tan Architect, show a white brick building with a glass curtain wall on its east- and river-facing elevations. As required by zoning, on-site parking is provided at ground level, and the garage roof will hold an expansive rooftop terrace. According to Young Kim, the development is moving forward and the team is in the process of filing building permits.
Find out more

December 3, 2015

15 Hip Holiday Markets and Indie Pop-Up Shops in NYC

By Michelle Cohen

December's first days bring dozens of holiday gift markets whose aim is to find new homes for a wealth of shiny goodies and crafty gifts. We're all familiar with the big NYC markets, but some of the best scores–and the most fun–can be found at smaller, cooler pop-ups and local markets throughout the city. Some are only around for a weekend, others for the whole month or longer. In addition to locally-made jewelry and crafts, vintage finds, artfully curated fashions, home items and other things we didn't know we needed, these hip retail outposts offer up DJs, drinks, food, tarot readings, nail art, music, and family fun to keep shoppers' spirits bright.
Find out where to get the goods, this way

July 15, 2015

The MTA May Revive the W Train Line

By Shiloh Frederick

Rumor has it that the W train may be returning from the dead. According to AM NY, the MTA is in talks with both public officials and rider advocates to bring the train back to service once the Q train is diverged to the Upper East Side to the new Second Avenue line in December 2016. Restoring the old line would prevent disrupting subway service in Astoria, an area with thousands of daily strap-hangers and only a few subways to choose from. The MTA hasn't made any official announcements on the matter thus far, but with the opening of the Second Avenue Subway line rapidly approaching, they are said to be seriously mulling it over.
More on the rumor here

Transit

November 18, 2014

New Residential Building To Rise Near the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria

By Ondel Hylton

An aptly located residential building called the Marx is getting underway in Astoria. The seven-story building at 34-32 35th Street is a "stone’s throw away" from the Museum of the Moving Image and directly across from Kaufman Astoria Studios (think Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live). The building will replace two small houses and a parking lot and sits adjacent to a stalled construction site slated to give way to its own seven-story residential building. The Marx is designed by Fogarty Finger Architects, who also designed One Murray Park, and will contain 33 units, likely rentals. It will feature a dark grey brick façade of large, evenly gridded square windows (the latest rage in NYC architecture) whose angled metal panels and glazing variations will create an interesting play of light and shadow.
More on the project here

October 27, 2014

Lights, Camera, Annoyance: Why NYC Is the New Hollywood and Not Everyone’s Happy About It

By Michelle Cohen

Film crews on your block: Yet another thing New Yorkers love to hate, whether it’s a case of grumble-brag or a genuine inconvenience. Some people love the opportunity to watch their favorite shows being made (and maybe get a peek at their favorite stars) and argue that it boosts the local economy. Others give the whole gig a big two thumbs down.
Find out who’s filming, where and when–and how you can make the most of it.

The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly

125 Greenwich Street

Financial District

The new altitude of downtown living

studios starting at $1,110,000
1 beds starting at $1,495,000
2 beds starting at $2,785,000
3 beds starting at $3,600,000

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