It appears that work is on hold at 21-16 44th Drive, aka 21-18 44th Drive, a mixed-use property in Long Island City, Queens. Construction only reached the sixth floor and still has two more levels to go before topping out. Designed by C3D Architecture and developed by Amsterdam Hospitality, the project is slated to yield a mix of ground-floor retail space, 40 hotel rooms measuring around 250 square feet each, and 29 homes averaging just under 700 square feet apiece. YIMBY last reported on the project in August 2015, when permits were filed for its construction.
Recent photographs show the state of work at the site, which is located between 21st Street and 23rd Street. The entire main northern elevation that faces 44th Drive is covered in black netting and scaffolding. Steel rebar protrudes from the tops of the perimeter columns, wooden railings line the edge of the top floor plate, and sidewalk scaffolding covers the ground floor. No progress has begun on the curtain wall, which is planned to be composed of dark brick masonry, a regular grid of windows, and metal paneling.
21-18 44th Drive. Photo by Michael Young
21-18 44th Drive. Photo by Michael Young
The majority of the excavation and foundation work occurred in the first half of 2018 and construction steadily crept up above street level. 21-18 44th Drive sits adjacent to the east of Corte, a glass-enclosed rental complex with cantilevering trapezoidal balconies, and The Decker, a red brick structure with a grid of industrial-style windows. It would be interesting to see the contrast in the proportions, color, envelopes, and architectural design of all three buildings sitting in a line. The closest subways are the E and M trains at the Court Square-23 St Station and the G and 7 trains at the Court Square station.
It is unclear as to the exact reason for the slowdown in construction or when activity on the site will resume. No revised completion date has been announced.
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The ups and downs on development, don’t worry about it in earthly lives: Thanks to Michael Young.