Long Island City, Queens is continuing its transformation with a host of new buildings cropping up on some of the last available parcels, and older structures giving way to new, larger construction. YIMBY photographed several examples around the booming residential district of the downtown area, most of which are near the elevated Queensboro Plaza station serving the 7, N, and W trains, and the Queens Plaza station for the E, M, and R trains. Other sites are located in the neighborhood across the Sunnyside Yard facility.
Excavation and foundation work are moving along at 42-74 Hunter Street, the site of a ten-story residential project on an interior lot by the confluence of Hunter and 27th Streets. 27 Hunter LLC is listed as the owner of the project, which is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2027, as noted on site. No architect or additional details on the building’s scope are currently available. The property was formerly vacant and overgrown.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The following rendering shows 42-74 Hunter Street clad in a contemporary façade composed of gray paneling surrounding floor-to-ceiling windows. Two stacks of balconies lined with glass railings protrude from the front elevation, and a setback at the tenth story could likely provide space for a roof terrace. The residential entrance is positioned at the southern end of the base and flanked by commercial space with double-height windows.
Photo by Michael Young
Below-grade work is also progressing at 43-05 Crescent Street, the site of a nine-story residential building at the intersection of Crescent Street and 43rd Avenue. Designed by INOA Architecture for Weitao Shi of Central Realty, the 119-foot-tall structure will span 26,913 square feet and yield 39 rental units with an average scope of 684 square feet. The development will also include 200 square feet of commercial space and a cellar level. The property is alternately addressed as 25-08 43rd Avenue. Permits were filed for the project in July 2023, and its anticipated completion date is slated for March 2026.
The following photos show crews deep beneath street level preparing for the formation of the foundations. Several pilings are present in the center of the site and bundles sit awaiting the start of foundation work.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The below preliminary rendering of 43-05 Crescent Street from the construction board depicts a sleek modern design featuring a glass curtain wall with rounded corners. A sculptural trim meanders up the building at two-story intervals, and the structure culminates in a setback volume with a pointed cantilevering corner.
Photo by Michael Young
Demolition is wrapping up at 42-19 24th Street, the site of a 40-story residential tower located between Queens Plaza South and 42nd Road. Designed by MY Architect PC for Steven Li, the 456-foot-tall structure will span 195,682 square feet and yield 216 rental units with an average scope of 897 square feet. The development will also include 1,721 square feet of commercial space. Permits for the project were filed last August.
The following photos show the former low-rise occupant razed to street level and crews in the process of clearing the site of debris. YIMBY expects cleanup work to conclude before the end of spring. No construction timeline or renderings have been revealed for the new structure.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Below is the former occupant of the parcel before its demolition.
42-19 24th Street in Long Island City, Queens via Google Maps
Finally, renovation and expansion work are progressing on The Packard Motor Building, an eight-story commercial building located at 32-02 Queens Boulevard between 32nd Place and Van Dam Street. Developed by Related Fund Management, a Manhattan-based real estate investment firm affiliated with Related Companies, the structure will span 325,000 square feet. Cosmetics company Mana Products sold the property to the developer for $61 million in 2022 in a deal brokered by Cushman & Wakefield. Construction is expected to wrap up in February 2026, as noted on site.
The following photos show the building almost fully refinished in its new coat of slate gray paint. Excavation and foundations are also underway for the expansion of the reinforced concrete superstructure. A former one-story volume of the building was demolished to make room for the new construction, which will house four new freight elevators. Other improvements include a new lobby, building entrance, and canopy, and a fenced-in truck court.
The closest subway from the property is the 7 train at the elevated 33rd Street-Rawson Street station.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The below renderings preview the completed appearance of 32-02 Queens Boulevard’s redevelopment.
32-02 Queens Boulevard. Developed by Related Fund Management.
32-02 Queens Boulevard. Developed by Related Fund Management.
32-02 Queens Boulevard. Developed by Related Fund Management.
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Need to connect Sunnyside and LIC on queens blvd with new housing.
Long Island City looks like downtown Toronto.