The first permits are up for a new residential building in between Long Island City and Astoria, at 14-33 31st Avenue. Sithonia LLC is developing the site, and the architect of record is Caliendo; the firm’s website has images of their portfolio, though none are clear and labels are indecipherable.
Despite the lack of renderings, the DOB filings reveal basic details; the building will span 40,999 square feet, which will be divided between 56 apartments. 14-33 31st Avenue will stand five stories and 50 feet tall.
Though the design may be undisclosed, the site’s history is cause for concern, as it was formerly occupied by the L. B. Russell Chemical Plant. Demolition permits were filed last year, and while the storage facility may be coming down, its legacy may linger on, as the transition to residential will likely require remediation efforts.
A 1995 report from the New York Daily News lists 14-33 31st Avenue as one of 73 sites that failed to submit accident-prevention plans to the city, and while those documents may soon be moot, the development’s past is obviously a point of potential concern — and one that will hopefully be addressed prior to the arrival of future residents.
14-33 31st Avenue, aerial via Google Maps
Regardless of the site’s history, its redevelopment represents a growth opportunity for the neighborhood, which is mainly residential. The lot’s former occupant may have been semi-hazardous, but the new plan for 14-33 31st Avenue offers the potential for beneficial infill, replacing an aging industrial facility with much-needed housing.
No completion date has been announced.
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