ShopFair Supermarkets will soon debut at Edgemere Commons, an 11-building affordable housing complex currently under construction in Edgemere, Queens. The new supermarket will comprise more than 27,000 square feet and is expected to open in spring 2024.
When Edgemere Commons was approved in 2019 by the New York City Council, developers Slate Property Group and The Arker Companies promised to construct a supermarket within the complex to address the lack of access to fresh groceries and produce in the surrounding community. The lease agreement with ShopFair Supermarkets was negotiated for a 25-year term.
Greg Parassio of Booth Capital Advisors represented ShopFair Supermarkets in the deal.
Aerial view of Edgemere Commons – Aufgang Architects
The entire Edgemere Commons complex spans 9.35 acres and will eventually comprise 2.2 million square feet with 2,050 affordable and supportive housing units, 973 parking spaces, 38,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space, 77,000 square feet of community space, and 72,000 square feet of neighborhood-oriented retail.
The first phase of construction broke ground January 2022 and includes a 17-story building with 135 rental units, 59 supportive housing units for formerly homeless adults, and 24,000 square feet of parking space, in addition to the new supermarket. Amenity spaces will include a community room, a recreation room, bicycle storage, laundry facilities, a roof terrace, and outdoor activity space.
All of the buildings at Edgemere Commons are designed by Aufgang Architects.
“From our first meetings with community members, we knew that creating a development that met the needs of Edgemere residents meant delivering a quality grocery store,” said Dan Moritz, principal at The Arker Companies. “The addition of ShopFair to Edgemere Commons will help eradicate a food desert and make healthy, nutritious food more accessible for the community.”
Street view of Edgemere Commons – Aufgang Architects
Aerial view of publicly accessible outdoor spaces at Edgemere Commons- Aufgang Architects
“The signing of a lease for a supermarket in Edgemere Commons is a major milestone in the effort to create a first-class, affordable, mixed-use development in the Rockaways,” said Queens borough president Donovan Richards Jr. “The days of the Rockaways being a food desert are coming to an end, as this supermarket represents a significant investment in the fight against food insecurity.”
State financing for the first phase includes $14.7 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds and federal low-income tax credits that will generate $47.7 million equity from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation awarded Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credits that will generate $5.6 million in equity.
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is also providing $5 million in support. The New York State Office of Mental Health will provide $750,000 annually to subsidize 30 supportive units through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, as well as $258,000 in program development grant start-up costs.
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A very interesting project. Finding where this is exactly located on the map took a bit of investigation from different articles. Ultimately I used the aerial rendering and satellite maps. The site is between Beach 51st & Beach 53rd Streets and Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach Channel Dr. Lots of Beach…
It’s unfortunate so much parking is being devoted to polluting cars, but that’s America. One article did mention that the complex is being designed for future storms like Sandy.
All the previous coverage on this site has all the details.