Construction is complete on Willets Point Commons, two 12-story residential buildings in the first phase of the redevelopment of Willets Point, Queens. Designed by S9Architecture and developed by Queens Development Group (QDG), a joint venture between Related Companies and Sterling Equities, the structures yield a total of 880 affordable units. The project is being completed in partnership with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). The buildings are bounded by Willets Point Boulevard to the northwest, Roosevelt Avenue to the south, and Flushing Creek to the east.
The structures feature a cohesive design, each with a multifaceted massing incorporating multiple upper-level setbacks topped with terraces. The façades are composed of red and earth-toned brick on the lower stories and gray paneling on their higher floors, matching the color palette of Citi Field to the west. Both buildings feature green roofs with landscaped common spaces.
Willets Point Commons Phase One. Credit: S9Architecture.
Rendering of Willets Point Commons, courtesy of QDG.
Units at Willets Point Commons will serve households earning between 30 and 120 percent of area median income (AMI). The project includes set-asides for Queens Community Board 7 residents, veterans and/or municipal employees, and residents with mobility, visual, or hearing access needs.
Willets Point Commons Phase One. Credit: S9Architecture.
Amenities at Willets Point Commons include a community garden and multiple courtyards, tenant lounges, and outdoor terraces. There is also a fitness center, children’s playroom, coworking space, and ground-floor retail.
Rendering of Willets Point Commons, courtesy of QDG.
Rendering of Willets Point Commons, courtesy of QDG.
Rendering of Willets Point Commons, courtesy of QDG.
Rendering of Willets Point Commons, courtesy of QDG.
Construction has also begun on Building 3, which will add 220 affordable senior housing apartments and complete the 1,100-unit commitment for Phase 1. Future phases will bring the total to 2,500 affordable homes, along with a public school, open space, retail, a hotel, and Etihad Park, the planned home of New York City FC.
Transit nearby Willets Point Commons includes the Mets-Willets Point subway station, served by the 7 train, as well as the Mets-Willets Point LIRR station.
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This is a major improvement over the auto chop shop district, which formerly occupied the space. Flushing had the highest auto theft rate in the city in the district’s heyday. Until things are fully developed, residents will have a bit of a hike to services such as grocery stores. A similar project was envisioned for the east bank of Flushing Creek, but objections were raised that it would make Flushing too crowded. This land remains vacant.
Big improvement , test the drinking water and the soil for toxins before letting people move in. If no problem let people move in however before any harm done do a double check.
Amazing to see this ‘neighborhood’, if that’s the right word..evolve, and so quickly; amazing what a soccer stadium, and a casino license will do..
Yeah, especially if you like noise…ugh
Whoever moves in better have earplugs and light blocking shades to block passing train noise and stadium lights.
Turns out buildings nowadays aren’t built like barns. They have modern multi-pane windows and believe it or not these things called drapes are good at blocking game day lights.
There needs to be a mix of affordable and market rate apartments in this development. Concentrating the poor in one neighborhood or building never works out, especially when there is a casino next door.