Queens

The A train won’t run in the Rockaways for 4 months starting in January

Photo by Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

November 5, 2024

The A train won’t run in the Rockaways for 4 months starting in January

By Aaron Ginsburg

The A train will shut down in the Rockaways for four months starting in January to strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather. From January 17 to May 19 next year, the A train will not run at all between Howard Beach-JFK Airport to Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street or Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue in both directions. During this period, the Rockaway Park Shuttle, which normally runs to Broad Channel, will instead operate between Rockaway Park and Far Rockaway, with no shuttle service running at all during the first week of the closure
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Live in one of Long Island City’s tallest towers, from $2,990/month

Renderings courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

October 31, 2024

Live in one of Long Island City’s tallest towers, from $2,990/month

By Devin Gannon

A 66-story in Long Island City launched a housing lottery this week, offering high-rise luxury living at a discounted price. Lumen LIC, at 43-30 24th Street, is a huge new rental designed by Hill West Architects and developed by Carmel Partners, with 938 apartments and over 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $2,990/month for studios to $5,114/month for three-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

MTA moves forward with design of Interborough Express project

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

October 30, 2024

MTA moves forward with design of Interborough Express project

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Interborough Express, a proposed public transit connection between Brooklyn and Queens, is one step closer to becoming a reality. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the preliminary engineering and design phase of the 14-mile light rail line and began an environmental review with the federal government, according to Bloomberg. The initial phase is expected to take roughly two years to complete.
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Hunter’s Point waterfront rental opens lottery for 173 apartments, from $2,490/month

Renderings by Binyan unless otherwise noted.

October 29, 2024

Hunter’s Point waterfront rental opens lottery for 173 apartments, from $2,490/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 173 middle-income apartments in a new luxury rental development on the Long Island City waterfront. Located at 2-20 Malt Drive in Hunter's Point South, the 34-story building is part of the three-tower Malt Drive development bringing over 1,000 new homes to the area. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $2,490/month for studios to $3,590/month for two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

MTA releases Olivia Rodrigo MetroCards as second-to-last custom card

Credit: Rahul Bhatt

October 28, 2024

MTA releases Olivia Rodrigo MetroCards as second-to-last custom card

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released its second-to-last limited-edition MetroCard before fully transitioning to the tap-and-go OMNY system. In collaboration with Sony, the special cards will feature pop star Olivia Rodrigo wearing the new Sony Linkbuds in her signature purple aesthetic. The MTA on Monday loaded machines at seven subway stations across the city with 50,000 limited-edition cards.
find out where to get them

LaGuardia named best airport in U.S. by Forbes

Credit: PANYNJ on Flickr

October 23, 2024

LaGuardia named best airport in U.S. by Forbes

By Aaron Ginsburg

A decade after then-Vice President Joe Biden compared the airport to a third-world country, and after a $8 billion makeover, LaGuardia Airport is now considered the best airport in the United States. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Tuesday announced that LaGuardia was selected as the best airport in the country by Forbes Travel Guide. The accolade is the latest in a series of achievements earned by the airport after its transformation, which began in 2016 and is now largely complete.
details here

Transit

Long Island City rental opens lottery for 150 apartments, from $2,900/month

Credit: VUW

October 23, 2024

Long Island City rental opens lottery for 150 apartments, from $2,900/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery launched this week for 150 middle-income apartments at a new mixed-use development in the Hunter's Point section of Long Island City. Located at 2-33 50th Avenue, Jasper is a 12-story building that offers residents a holistic living experience with state-of-the-art amenities and convenient access to a grocery store, restaurants, and other retail options on the ground level. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $2,900/month studios to $5,039/month three-bedrooms.
find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Uber launches shuttle between LaGuardia Airport and Midtown

Images courtesy of Uber

October 8, 2024

Uber launches shuttle between LaGuardia Airport and Midtown

By Aaron Ginsburg

Hailing a ride to and from LaGuardia Airport just got cheaper. Uber on Tuesday launched a new $18 shuttle service with two routes connecting Midtown Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport, operating daily every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Stopping at Port Authority, Grand Central Terminal, and Penn Station, the passenger vans can carry up to 14 passengers with each rider allowed one personal item and one piece of luggage.
Learn more

Transit

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

By Devin Gannon

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?

Affordable Housing

Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal

Rendering courtesy of SHoP Architects, Field Operations

September 30, 2024

Renderings reveal $8B Citi Field casino and public park proposal

By Aaron Ginsburg

Here's a first look at New York Mets owner Steve Cohen's proposed $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field. Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen last week released renderings for "Metropolitan Park," a sports and entertainment complex with a public park, hotel, live music venue, restaurants, and a casino planned for 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field. Cohen is one of several developers vying for one of the three casino licenses set to be issued in downstate New York.
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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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Affordable Housing

Deal reached for new Court Square public library at 5Pointz development

View of 5 Pointz LIC in September 2020; Photo: © CityRealty

September 17, 2024

Deal reached for new Court Square public library at 5Pointz development

By Devin Gannon

After over four years, Court Square in Long Island City is getting its public library back. The Queens Public Library (QPL) announced a tentative deal for a new branch at the 5Pointz LIC rental development on Jackson Avenue. After occupying the ground floor of One Court Square for 30 years, the branch closed in 2020 when Amazon's plan to open a headquarters there fell through.
details this way

Policy

Di Fara Pizza, Fuku coming to JFK Airport’s Terminal 6

Rendering courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office

September 12, 2024

Di Fara Pizza, Fuku coming to JFK Airport’s Terminal 6

By Aaron Ginsburg

John F. Kennedy International Airport has unveiled the lineup of vendors for its new $4.2 billion Terminal 6. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) revealed their initial roster of 12 local and diverse businesses, including four from southeast Queens, that will operate within the airport's new Terminal 6. The chosen food vendors, which include famous NYC eateries like David Chang's Fuku and Brooklyn's Di Fara Pizza, will offer an "authentic taste of New York," while other businesses will co-manage parts of the terminal as joint venture partners.
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Explore the Queens homes of over 100 famous Jazz musicians

Image courtesy of Flushing Town Hall

September 6, 2024

Explore the Queens homes of over 100 famous Jazz musicians

By Aaron Ginsburg

Explore the vibrant history of jazz in Queens with a new interactive digital map. Flushing Town Hall on Thursday released the Digital Queens Jazz Trail Map, putting 125 jazz legends who once called Queens home on the map. The digital map is the first phase of a larger database that will include more figures, locations, and details, allowing users to contribute comments and additional content to be approved by Flushing Town Hall.
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City Living

182 apartments available at huge luxury high-rise in Jamaica, from $1,596/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

September 6, 2024

182 apartments available at huge luxury high-rise in Jamaica, from $1,596/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are now being accepted for 182 mixed-income apartments at a new luxury rental tower in Jamaica, Queens. Located at 163-05 Archer Avenue, the Monarch is a 24-story building with 605 apartments, state-of-the-art amenities, and retail space. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $1,596/month for one-bedroom units to $3,753/month for two bedrooms.
learn if you qualify

Affordable Housing

The 15 best parks in NYC for outdoor grilling

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels

August 28, 2024

The 15 best parks in NYC for outdoor grilling

By Devin Gannon

While our tiny apartments and fire escapes may not always be the greatest spots to host a barbecue, the city's parks provide some of the best places to dine on hamburgers and hot dogs this holiday. Ahead, 6sqft rounded up 15 of the best NYC parks to host outdoor barbecues, from old standby Prospect Park to less-known locales like Staten Island's Clove Lakes Park.
Fin the best BBQ spots in your neighborhood

A history of the U.S. Open in New York: From the West Side Tennis Club to Arthur Ashe Stadium

Photo by Jeff Horne on Flickr

August 22, 2024

A history of the U.S. Open in New York: From the West Side Tennis Club to Arthur Ashe Stadium

U.S. Open fever has again swept New York City. Although nowadays it's all Coco and Djokovic and Honey Deuce cocktails and lobster rolls, there's a long history behind the world-famous event. Ahead, take a look at how the international tournament made its way from an elite, private club in Newport, Rhode Island to Forest Hills' West Side Tennis Club and finally to its current home in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, even uncovering a little connection to the 1964 World's Fair.
All the tennis history right this way

History

Magnolia Bakery lands at LaGuardia Airport

Images courtesy of Magnolia Bakery

August 21, 2024

Magnolia Bakery lands at LaGuardia Airport

By Aaron Ginsburg

Flying out of LaGuardia Airport just got sweeter. New York City icon Magnolia Bakery will open at Delta's Terminal C this week, marking the shop's first airport location. Starting Thursday, the bakery will sell its world-famous banana pudding as well as other tasty treats as part of a new food hall in the terminal.
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Food & Dining

Hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach on a Ramones-themed NYC Ferry

Photo by © Danny Fields

August 16, 2024

Hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach on a Ramones-themed NYC Ferry

By Aaron Ginsburg

You can "hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach" on a Ramones-themed ferry ride this weekend. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the legendary punk band's first performance at the East Village dive bar CBGB, Rhino Entertainment and NYC Ferry are offering three Ramones-themed ferry rides to the Rockaways. The limited rides include an exclusive "50 Years of Ramones" sticker, a Ramones digital takeover, free samples from Rockaway Soda, and a raffle for a special Ramones prize pack.
GO TO Rock-rock, Rockaway Beach

Events & Things To Do

New Snøhetta-designed public library opens in Far Rockaway

Photos courtesy of Matthew Lapiska/DDC

July 31, 2024

New Snøhetta-designed public library opens in Far Rockaway

By Aaron Ginsburg

Far Rockaway's new public library officially opened this week. Designed by acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the two-story Queens Public Library branch at 1637 Central Avenue is twice the size of the previous library, which closed in 2018, and features a striking sunrise-inspired glass facade and central atrium that lets natural light fill the building. The $39 million library is part of the broader 2017 Downtown Far Rockaway rezoning to bring more housing, retail, and amenities to the neighborhood.
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Architecture And Design

The ferry is a breezy way to get to NYC’s summer destinations — and maybe even see dolphins

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 8, 2024

The ferry is a breezy way to get to NYC’s summer destinations — and maybe even see dolphins

It’s in his blood, NYC Ferry Captain Vincent Ardolino says. His father was a captain, his grandfather was a captain, and his uncles, too. Growing up in the Rockaways, his typical ferry route from Wall Street to Brooklyn to Rockaway Beach is a natural one for him – and his favorite.
all aboard

MTA boosts weekend subway service to Rockaway Beach

Photo by Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

July 3, 2024

MTA boosts weekend subway service to Rockaway Beach

By Devin Gannon

Getting to the beach without a car will be a little easier this summer. Service will expand on the Rockaway Park Shuttle on weekends, allowing beachgoers to board any A train and get a transfer to Rockaway Beach, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced. On Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day, the shuttle will also operate with 10 cars, doubling its normal capacity.
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Transit

14,000 new homes projected for Long Island City under rezoning draft

Photo by Ruoyu Li on Unsplash

June 26, 2024

14,000 new homes projected for Long Island City under rezoning draft

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city's Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick on Tuesday released the draft rezoning framework for the Long Island City Neighborhood Plan, a proposal that could create up to 14,000 new homes, including 4,000 affordable units. The proposal also includes up to nine acres of open space along the Queens waterfront, new schools, and enhancements to parks and NYCHA complexes, according to Gothamist.
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NYC’s best rooftop hotel pools offering day passes

Photo courtesy of Dream Downtown / Tao Group Hospitality

June 14, 2024

NYC’s best rooftop hotel pools offering day passes

By Michelle Cohen

Coming soon: Full-time sun and swimsuit season. Some lucky apartment dwellers count a private pool among their building’s amenities. Otherwise, your local options include public pools or pricey pool clubs and gyms. One way to hack summer in NYC is to snag a day pass to a pool atop one of the city’s trendy hotels. Usually reserved for hotel guests, some hotels allow visitors to pay by the day–often with poolside restaurant and bar privileges. Some venues host events like pool parties with DJs, live music, and drink specials. Read on for cool pools with day rates. Many hotel pools open on Memorial Day weekend. Pools may be reserved for private events, or rates and access information may change; be sure to check in with the venue before finalizing your plans.
Everyone in the pool

Events & Things To Do

Stylishly renovated $1.6M Ridgewood townhouse has room for living and rental income

Photo credit: Interiors by Kat for The Corcoran Group

June 12, 2024

Stylishly renovated $1.6M Ridgewood townhouse has room for living and rental income

By Michelle Cohen

Located within the Stockholm Street Historic District in artsy, laid-back Ridgewood, this charming light brick home at 1867 Stockholm Street seems almost like a steal at $1,595,000. Though it rises only two stories high, the two-unit property has a fully-finished lower level and a lovely landscaped backyard. Inside, the home has been updated by an artist owner with an eye for simple and chic design.
take the tour

Distinctive Homes

Reach the beach: Vintage subway trains will ride to the Rockaways and Coney Island this summer

All photos courtesy of the New York Transit Museum.

May 30, 2024

Reach the beach: Vintage subway trains will ride to the Rockaways and Coney Island this summer

By Devin Gannon

Beach and boardwalk-bound New Yorkers can ride to the shore in vintage style this summer. The New York Transit Museum announced two "nostalgia rides" in July and August that will bring beachgoers to Coney Island and the Rockaways via R-19 train cars from the 1930s. Tickets, which cost $60 for adults, go on sale Friday, May 31.
details this way

Events & Things To Do

Vintage photos look back on the futuristic 1964 New York World’s Fair in Queens

Two observation decks at the New York State Pavilion provided a 360-degree view of the World’s Fair. Image Source Attributed to NYC Parks’ Archived Collection

May 14, 2024

Vintage photos look back on the futuristic 1964 New York World’s Fair in Queens

By Aaron Ginsburg

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. Taking place just 25 years after the 1939 World’s Fair in the same location, the World’s Fair was the largest international exhibition ever constructed in the United States, with 140 pavilions representing 80 nations, 24 U.S. states, and more than 45 corporations across 656 acres. The event, which took place for two six-month seasons between April 1964 and October 1965, provided a sense of optimism for a country embroiled in unrest both at home and abroad. Led by "master-builder" Robert Moses, the fair embraced the Space Age era, which included a creative, futuristic aesthetic inspired by advancing technologies and innovative architecture. Ahead, explore the World’s Fair with historic photos and hear from World's Fair expert, Bill Cotter, on the lasting legacy of the event in New York and beyond.
SEE WHAT THE FAIR WAS LIKE

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Spring + Thompson

83 Thompson Street

Soho

Loft-like residences in Soho designed by Selldorf Architects

2 beds starting at $4,975,000
4 beds starting at $14,850,000