How developers are selling Manhattanites on luxury — in Queens
Manhattan looks its best when you aren’t in it and the developers of Queens neighborhoods like Astoria and Long Island City know it.
They’re capitalizing on those views, top-tier amenities, new flexible work arrangements and bang for buck to lure diehard Manhattanites across the East River.
In the process they are setting a new standard of luxury in the city’s most diverse borough.
“Astoria and Long Island City specifically offer the trifecta of value, convenience to all the amenities of Manhattan and a vibrant local scene,” said David Maundrell, wo handles New Development for Brooklyn and Queens at the Corcoran Group.
Buyers sold on that “trifecta” will move into the Rowan, located at 21-21 31st St. in Astoria, this summer.
It offers 42 condos, which launched sales in the last year.
To move them, the developer, RockFarmer Properties, is going beyond your average luxury amenities, by adding anomalies like a sensory garden, a rooftop with private cabanas and a chef’s grilling station, a “woodland-inspired” children’s playroom, sound-proof music room and an intriguing “relaxation hive.”
Apartments include white oak floors, “European” oversize casement windows, marble counters, wine refrigerators, Miele appliance suites, basalt grey stone floor tiles, and even a kitchen sink! A 600-square-foot one-bedroom condo is priced at $725,000, while a 1,570-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath condo (with nearly 1,400 additional square feet of private outdoor space) is asking $1.95 million. Try to find that in Manhattan.
Looking for a rental? Astor LIC, located at 36-20 Steinway St. off of the busy, commercial Northern Boulevard section of Astoria, just hit the rental market in the last month. And the six-story, 143-unit warehouse-like building — designed by SLCE Architects and developed by JMH Development and Mettle Property Group — boasts the best in luxury: from its concrete and masonry façade, “factory-style” oversized mullioned windows, white quartz countertops in the kitchens and hardwood floors everywhere. Amenities, including an outdoor yoga deck, landscaped roof deck with grilling areas, a fireplace, a dog run and covered parking, abound.
Prices for a studio start at $2,850 and a two-bedroom, two-bath with a private terrace and Manhattan skyline views goes for $5,500.
Another anticipated development, Astoria West, covers 2½ acres at 30-77 Vernon Boulevard and is expected to start leasing 534 rental residences across three buildings later in 2021. Amenities for the residents who inhabit the studios, one- or two-bedroom units include a rooftop pool and lounge, a landscaped private inner courtyard and gardens, indoor and outdoor co-working lounges, a fitness center and a game room.
A mile down the road from Astoria in consistently hot Long Island City, several new developments are now renting or selling. G&M Realty’s 5POINTZ, located at 22-44 Jackson Avenue, pays tribute to the famous graffiti collective and building that was infamously razed to make way for new twin high-rises. It’s now leasing 1,115 units, with studios starting at $2,825 a month and three-bedrooms renting for $5,573.
The Prime, located just next door at 22-43 Jackson Ave., is now selling apartments with luxury features and front-row seats to sweeping Manhattan skyline views in its 11-story, 71-unit building, with a two-bedroom, two-bath unit going for $1.2 million. Residents can expect to move in this month.
To the east, The Crossing at Jamaica Station is a 14-story, 669-unit building that just launched leasing in April. Its proximity to the train station isn’t the only selling point; the furnished rooftop sun deck, media and gaming room, fitness center, children’s playroom and attended indoor parking may seal the deal. The studios start as low as $633 a month for those who qualify for 40% of target median income ($23,658 to $33,440 annual per household), or $2,587 for the highest income bracket. A full-priced three-bedroom can run $4,501.
Finally, luxury living on the beach … in Queens? Yes, One Sixteen is a complex of 86 units, 8 of which are townhouses, in the Rockaway section of Queens. The townhouse portion of the project launched sales in May. Located at Beach 116th St., the majority of the townhouse are 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom homes starting at $1.25 million. Features include high ceilings, white oak flooring, ocean or bay views, a rooftop deck, fitness room and year-round beach access within arm’s reach.
The entire complex is now open to residents with 35% of the apartments sold.
