Queens

Images (L to R): AVALON BROOKLYN BAY, SKY, HENRY HALL and ELLIPSE Live Inside the World Famous McAlpin Hotel; Spacious Rentals from $2,575/Month [link] South Brooklyn’s Tallest, Avalon Brooklyn Bay, Starts Leasing [link] 30-Story Hudson Yards Rental Opens with Unobstructed Views, Apartments from $3,200/Month [link] Live in the Sky: Coveted 42nd Street Rental Tower Offers […]

Real Estate Trends

Images (L to R): THE DEAN, 88 LEONARD STREET, 33 BOND and TRIBECA TOWER

September 2, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): THE DEAN, 88 LEONARD STREET, 33 BOND and TRIBECA TOWER Leasing Update: 555Ten Offers 2 Months Free + Launches Affordable Housing Lottery [link] A Church from 1869 Is Now Quirky Loft Rentals with Cast Iron Catwalks – Flex Units Now Available [link] 33 Bond Opens Debuting Dozens of Units + New […]

August 29, 2017

New Queens-to-Manhattan NYC Ferry route launches today

The Astoria route of the NYC Ferry officially launched today, the fourth route introduced by the city this year. The service stops in Astoria, Roosevelt Island, Long Island City, East 34th Street and Wall Street, the complete trip totaling 47 minutes. While the ferries have been popular with commuters, two extra boats were added and fleets under construction were redesigned to be larger in June, concerns about recreational boaters coexisting without colliding into ferries have grown. As the New York Times reported, one free kayaking class won’t run their program until deciding it’s safe enough to do so.
Find out more

Transit

67 years ago in Queens, Althea Gibson became the first African-American on a U.S. tennis tour

West Side Tennis Club via Joe Shlabotnik/Flickr; Althea Gibson via Wiki Commons

August 22, 2017

67 years ago in Queens, Althea Gibson became the first African-American on a U.S. tennis tour

By Michelle Cohen

On August 22, 1950, what was then known as the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) accepted Harlem's Althea Gibson into their annual championship at Forest Hills, New York (the precursor to the U.S. Open). The spot on the championship roster made Gibson the first African-American athlete to compete in a U.S. national tennis competition, launching a storied career in which she won a whopping 16 Grand Slams, including the 1956 French Open where she became the first person of color to win such a title.
Find out more

Images (L to R): Chelsea29, One Hudson Yards, City Tower and 555Ten

August 19, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Thor’s Newly-Restored 98 Morningside Offering One Month of Free Rent [link] Field Condition Captures the Completed Amenities at 555Ten [link] Om Sweet Om: Downtown Brooklyn Rental, City Tower, Introduces Meditation Classes as Newest Amenity [link] Canal-Side 363 Bond Street Unveils Model Apartments; Offers 1 Month Free Rent [link] Chelsea29 Launches Leasing; Offers Two Months Free […]

Real Estate Trends

Apply for 88 affordable apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $494/ month

92-61 165th Street, Rendering via NHS Development Corporation

August 16, 2017

Apply for 88 affordable apartments in Downtown Jamaica, from $494/ month

With new residential and commercial developments and transit options, Jamaica, Queens is on the brink of renewal, after many years of neglect. Adding to the area’s revitalization, the construction of a new 14-story affordable housing building was finished last fall. Now, applications are being accepted at the building for 88 affordable apartments at 92-61 165th Street in Jamaica Center, Queens. New Yorkers earning 40 and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for units ranging from a $494 per month studio to a $1182 per month three-bedroom.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Donald Trump’s childhood home in Queens is renting for $725/night on Airbnb

Photo courtesy of Laffey Fine Homes from a previous listing

August 9, 2017

Donald Trump’s childhood home in Queens is renting for $725/night on Airbnb

President Trump, who is currently in New Jersey on a 17-day vacation, announced that he will travel to Trump Tower this Sunday. While his Midtown penthouse will be getting a lot of attention this weekend, his childhood home in Queens is also making headlines. The home at 85-15 Wareham Place is up for rent on Airbnb, according to a recent listing on the company’s website (h/t NY Post). The modest Tudor style home in Jamaica Estates is listed for as much as $725 per night. The home features five bedrooms, sleeps 20 people, and includes a life-size cut out of POTUS in the living room. Even though the president only lived there until he was four years old, according to the listing, “this is a unique and special opportunity to stay in the home of a sitting president.”
Find out more

Celebrities

Construction officially underway at Delta’s new $4B LaGuardia facilities, new renderings and details

Interior rendering of Delta’s eastern half, via Governor Andrew Cuomo

August 8, 2017

Construction officially underway at Delta’s new $4B LaGuardia facilities, new renderings and details

By Dana Schulz

Governor Cuomo first unveiled his plans for a revamped LaGuardia Airport two years ago. Since then, the cost has ballooned from $4 to $8 billion, with $4 billion alone going towards Delta's rebuilt 37-gate facilities. As of today, construction has officially begun on this part of the project, with the Port Authority signing a new, long-term lease with Delta Air Lines, which "marks the beginning of construction on the final component of the entirely new, unified airport at LaGuardia, which will provide all LaGuardia travelers with state-of-the-art amenities and expanded public transportation, including the planned AirTrain," according to a press release from the Governor. And along with the terminal's physical groundbreaking, he shared new details and renderings.
Get it all here

August 1, 2017

Bright, open condo one block from the beach asks $599K in the Rockaways

By Emily Nonko

Looking for beachfront living that's only a train ride away from Manhattan? Here's your answer. This three-bedroom condo has hit the market in the Far Rockaways, at 124-11 Rockaway Beach Boulevard. It's got all the right beachy interior details: open floorplan, big windows, two outdoor spaces, private parking, and a washer/dryer unit to clean your swimsuits and towels. Because, of course, the location is just a mere block from the Rockaway boardwalk and beachfront. After selling in 2015 for $492,000, it's now asking a hair under $600,000.
Take a tour inside

Distinctive Homes

$925M mega-project may bring 1,000 rentals and a 100,000-square-foot factory to Long Island City

Rendering courtesy of TF Cornerstone

July 31, 2017

$925M mega-project may bring 1,000 rentals and a 100,000-square-foot factory to Long Island City

The waterfront Queens neighborhood of Long Island City has gone from a sleepy, factory town to boasting the country's largest number of new rental apartments. Now, to preserve some of LIC’s industrial backbone, a new development proposal from TF Cornerstone calls for a massive $925 million mixed-use complex, which will include 1,000 rental apartments and 100,000 square feet of light manufacturing space. As the New York Times reported, the project comes at the city’s request in 2016 for mixed-use project proposals with a focus on commercial and industrial space.
Find out more

Images (L to R): FRANK 57 WEST, 237 11th Street, 180 Water Street and 1 QPS Tower

July 29, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Gut-Renovated Rentals in Prewar Harlem Building from $1,850/Month; Move-In August 1st [link] Live & Play at “The Crescendo,” South Bronx’s Unprecedented Rental Prepares for Summer Launch [link] Meet Crystal54, Hell’s Kitchen’s New Cast-Iron Rental Leasing from $3,200/mo [link] Conversion of 1890s Bushwick Church is Complete; See Inside the New Rentals [link] Grand New Rentals Debut […]

Real Estate Trends

July 26, 2017

NYC Ferry hits 1 million riders as it readies to launch Astoria route

By Dana Schulz

Considering the NYC Ferry has been so popular since launching on May 1st that it had to charter two extra boats to meet demand, it's not surprising that the city-subsidized ferry hit the 1 million rider mark as of today, a month earlier than expected. Mayor de Blasio celebrated the milestone earlier today with a press conference in Long Island City, also announcing that the fourth ferry route, the Astoria line, will launch on Tuesday, August 29th.
More ferry news

Transit

July 25, 2017

REVEALED: Tishman Speyer’s Long Island City office development boasts food hall and rooftop park

Long Island City, New York City’s fastest growing neighborhood, shows no signs of slowing down. Following the completion of Jackson Park, the residential phase of Tishman Speyer Properties’ massive Gotham Center development, renderings have been revealed for their creative office space across the street at 28-01 Jackson Avenue. As CityRealty learned, the development, called the JACX, consists of two identical towers that will include over 40,000 square feet of retail space, with a gourmet market, food hall, dining, and boutique fitness centers, as well as a one-acre rooftop terrace.
See inside

Images (L to R): 363 Bond Street, 525W52, Offerman House and 100 Steuben

July 22, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): 363 Bond Street, 525W52, Offerman House and 100 Steuben Tour Hell’s Kitchen’s Industrially-Inspired 525W52 Courtesy of Field Condition [link] Bond Street Development Redefines Living Next to the Gowanus Canal; See Inside [link] New Rentals Launch with 1 Month Free at Historic Offerman House in Downtown Brooklyn [link] Leasing Kicks Off at […]

Real Estate Trends

July 20, 2017

Governor Cuomo will invest $5.6B to transform the LIRR

With the renovations at Penn Station just getting underway, the state released a plan on Wednesday to invest $5.6 billion in renovating 39 Long Island Rail Road stations. This includes the reconstruction of the system’s tracks, switches and signals. According to Governor Cuomo, the project, part of his encompassing $100 billion infrastructure plan, would increase rider capacity by more than 80 percent.
Find out more

The world’s largest tire was used as a Ferris wheel at NYC’s 1964 World’s Fair

Photo courtesy of Gregory Fournier

July 18, 2017

The world’s largest tire was used as a Ferris wheel at NYC’s 1964 World’s Fair

The world's largest tire, the Uniroyal Giant Tire, reached 80 feet high and weighed 20 tons when it debuted as a Ferris wheel at the New York World's Fair in 1964. First located in Flushing, Queens, the towering tire was commissioned by the Uniroyal Tire Company and designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the same architectural firm behind the Empire State Building. During its time at the fair, the tire carried over two million passengers, including Jacqueline Kennedy and her children, Telly Savalas, and the Shah of Iran. Each ride cost just $0.25 and would last 10 minutes.
How did the tire end up in Detroit?

History

Images (L to R): The Ventura, 90 West, Jackson Park and The Parkside

July 14, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

One of New York’s First Skyscrapers is Now Rentals, and Leases Come with 1 Month Free [link] Watermark LIC: More Long Island City Rentals to Begin Leasing this Summer, Register Now [link] Brand New Bed-Stuy Rentals from $2,000/Month; Duplexes Available [link] One Hudson Yards Readies for Summer Leasing; Rentals to Start from $5,095/Month [link] New […]

Real Estate Trends

Images (L to R): The QE7, 71 Broadway, Columbus Square and Portside Towers

July 9, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

From Bowling Alley to Co-Living Rentals, The Lanes Makes its Debut in Long Island City [link] The Posthouse Debuts in Clinton Hill; Brand New Rentals from $2,013/Month [link] Move-In Ready Apartments at Columbus Square on Upper West Side Leasing with 1 Month Free [link] North America’s Biggest New Co-Living Building Tops Out in Long Island […]

Real Estate Trends

July 3, 2017

New photos of Long Island City’s 1 QPS Tower show off NYC’s highest rooftop pool

By Dana Schulz

Just in time for the height of the summer season, developer Property Markets Group has released a set of new photos of their 500-foot Long Island City rental 1 QPS Tower, which has the highest rooftop pool in the city, complete with panoramic skyline views, plenty of lounge chairs, and a stylish bar area (h/t CityRealty). The new images also show off the SLCE-designed skyscraper's other amenities, including a garden terrace, library, triple-height gym with rock climbing wall, and conference/lounge areas.
Check out all the photos

Images (L to R): Frank 57 West, 237 11th Street, 180 Water Street and 1 QPS Tower

June 30, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Prices Drop at East Harlem Luxury Rental by Karim Rashid; Units Now Start at $2,000/Month [link] Clinton Hill’s 1007 Atlantic Avenue Launches Leasing & Affordable Housing Lottery [link] Flex Layouts in the Financial District; No-Fee, 1 Month Free & Guarantors Accepted [link] Special Offer at Charming Upper West Side Rental; Flex Lease Dates & $1,000 […]

Real Estate Trends

June 28, 2017

Watch MoMA PS1’s solar canopy art installation get installed

By Emily Nonko

Every summer, New Yorkers are treated to kooky architectural innovation in the MoMA PS1 Courtyard. ( Last summer: this wild woven design from Mexico City-based architecture firm Escobedo Solíz Studio.) This year, Ithaca, New York-based architect Jenny Sabin takes the spotlight with her Lumen installation, a structure made of over one thousand digitally knitted photo luminescent cells that change color in the presence of sunlight. In honor of the installation opening this week, MoMA PS1 released videos in which the architect explains the development of her 500-pound solar-active canopy and shows off the construction and installation process.
Watch the videos here

June 28, 2017

Map: Where to watch the Macy’s fireworks this July 4th

By Michelle Cohen

Here's a handy guide outlining some prime spots for experiencing Macy's Fourth of July live fireworks extravaganza this Tuesday evening; in addition, the folks that put on the show have provided a helpful interactive neighborhood finder so you're well situated when things go boom. Take a fun quiz here, then find out the best spots to watch from. Or just check out some prime spots here.
More info this way

June 26, 2017

More apartments have been built in Long Island City than any other U.S. neighborhood since 2010

Following the country’s economic recession, neighborhoods throughout the United States have witnessed an apartment boom. According to a report by RENTCafe, since 2010, apartment buildings have been popping up at an increasingly faster rate. Unsurprisingly, Long Island City came in first for the largest number of new rental apartments, with 41 new apartment buildings and 12,533 new units built in the past seven years. Nearly 36 percent of all apartments are brand new in this Queens waterfront neighborhood.
See which other NYC 'hoods made the top-10 list

Real Estate Trends

June 25, 2017

$850K for this 1899 Victorian home in Ridgewood with a charming front porch

By Emily Nonko

This historic frame home is looking picture perfect in Ridgewood, Queens. It's located at 62-46 61st Street, a block off the neighborhood's main drag of Metropolitan Avenue. The listing says you "step back into 1899 every evening in this beautiful two-story Victorian." We have to admit the property remains impressively intact, from the front porch to the ornate woodwork and pocket doors inside. After selling back in 2014 for $560,000, then getting some modern structural upgrades, it's now on the market for $850,000.
Go inside

Distinctive Homes

Images (L to R): Hub, The Forge, The Corner and The Lane

June 24, 2017

FREE RENT: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news