Construction has topped out on 52-03 Center Boulevard, a 587-foot-tall, 56-story skyscraper in Hunters Point, Queens, while its 46-story, 475-foot-tall sibling is nearly complete at 52-41 Center Boulevard. Designed by ODA Architecture with SLCE Architects as the architect of record, the two towers are part of TF Cornerstone‘s Hunters Point South development, which is set to bring a total of 1,194 residential units to the East River waterfront. Of these, 719 will be designated for affordable housing. 52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard are bound by Center Boulevard to the west, Borden Avenue to the north, 2nd Street to the east, and 54th Avenue to the south.
Recent photos show the progress on the buildings since our last update in December, when 52-03 Center Boulevard was approaching topping out.
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
The buildings’ multifaceted designs and stone paneling create an interesting play of light and shadow, especially in the morning and late afternoon. 52-03 Center Boulevard’s construction crane is fully disassembled, while the upper portion still has orange netting around the edges of each floor plate as the building awaits the installation of the rest of the exterior. The roof of 52-41 Center Boulevard gives us an idea of how the architecturally identical pair of buildings will look when both are fully clad.
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
The architectural height of 52-03 Center Boulevard helps it to stand out among the surrounding waterfront development. Overall, these two edifices are some the tallest buildings in all of Queens and are the current tallest on the Hunters Point esplanade.
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard among the growing waterfront skyline. Photo by Michael Young
52-03 and 52-41 Center Boulevard. Photo by Michael Young
As previously reported, the affordable housing lottery launched for 52-41 Center Boulevard in late September with studios and one- and two-bedroom units averaging 949 square feet apiece and monthly rents ranging from $698 to $2,704. Of the 394 homes, sixty percent are to be allocated as permanently affordable to low-, moderate-, and middle-income families, while 100 apartments will be dedicated to low-income seniors. The complex is also planned to house a 7,700-square-foot community facility with a separate lobby and 8,900 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Residential living space will measure 374,100 square feet. The two towers will be linked by a 22,000-square-foot park designed by Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects.
Leasing for the 534 affordable and 266 market-rate units in 52-03 Center Boulevard will commence later this summer. The building will also contain 8,000 square feet dedicated to community use, 850 square feet of ground-floor retail space, a 7,950-square-foot daycare facility, and a 572-seat K-8 grade school on the lower floors. Residential amenities include private terraces spread across multiple levels and storage space for 197 bicycles.
Full completion of the entire development is expected by winter 2022.
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It’s interesting how the building boom brought stretched glitz to Manhattan, unique style to Brooklyn and generic commonplace to Queens.
There is no part that I must criticize: Thanks to Michael Young.
Great photography here by Michael Young!
I agree!
Affordable buildings of this density need to replicated here and in other neighborhoods.
True that.
I think this is beautiful!
Wow! These two are just phenomenal. I especially love the exteriors and the interesting shapes. I’m eager to see the curtain wall go up on 52-03 Center Boulevard!