It seems that Long Island City and Astoria should be the next alternate destination for Midtown New Yorkers looking to get out of the City. In an article published by therealdeal.com in early February, the two cities in Queens have some major residential luxury towers in the works.
Long Island City has about 200 projects scheduled that will total 23,500 residential units. The largest of the projects is the Gotham Center by Tishman Speyers. The project includes 3 residential towers that will be the new home of 1900 residential apartments, and two office towers. Construction is supposed to begin some time this year.
Over in Astoria, The Durst Organization is moving forward with a 2000 unit residential luxury unit called Hallett's Point. The initial project broke ground last year, but you may have heard it was put on hold after the 421 a tax incentive expired. Not to worry, there is a new tax break program in the works, so the project should be back on track soon. If Hallett Point is anything like other projects the Durst Organization has been involved with, we can expect top of the line amenities in the 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.
With all of the new residential towers going up in Queens, we might see a spike in rental rates on the West side of the borough. The new constructions all appear to be the same type of luxury high rises you find in Manhattan. I haven't heard of any new garden style apartments on the agenda, like the Greybarn community over in Amityville.
In addition to the 500 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in Amityville Long Island, the developers of Greybarn have created a sense of community around the property with a dog park, swimming pools, a fitness center and a Starbucks coffee shop.
