Last year, we reported that New York City’s population had increased by 52,700 people between 2013 and 2014, hitting 8,491,079, and nearing what the city had previously projected for 2020. Today, the American Community Survey released updated data as of July 1st, 2015, showing another large increase of 55,211, putting the five boroughs’ population at 8,550,405 — just 502 people short of the official 2020 projection.
The story of development at 27-17 42nd Road is a testament to the ongoing rapid change within Long Island City’s landscape. When Star Tower was first proposed in 2008, it would have lived up to its name by shining on the Court Square skyline as its tallest residential building, offering luxury unmatched by any competitor in the area. As foundation work is underway for its successor, the neighborhood is at a point where a 25-story tower becomes infill, obscured by taller neighbors from nearly all directions. The perimeter basement wall appears complete, and work is in progress on interior foundations. The Department of Buildings lists 184 condominium units spread across 221,266 square feet of floor space. Hiwin USA is listed as the owner of the property while Milestone Construction is the contractor. When the 258-foot-tall building opens its doors in 2017, it will barely make a dent on the skyline, yet it will successfully fulfill its urban role as a building that respects its neighbors while maintaining an independent identity.
If you remember the recent topping out of 23-10 Queens Plaza South as the second tallest building in Queens, hearing of another contender usurping its place so quickly might give you a sense of déjà vu. In a testament to Long Island City’s dizzying pace of development, the title passes to Tower 28, previously known as 28 on 28th.
In the summer of 2014, YIMBY revealed renderings of the six-story, 24-unit residential building planned at 11-30 45th Road, in the Hunters Point section of Long Island City. Building applications were filed in December of that year and we last reported that excavation equipment arrived on site in October of 2015. The Court Square Blog now reports foundation work is underway. The new building will encompass 31,729 square feet and apartment units will average 931 square feet apiece. There will be 14 parking spaces on the ground floor and the structure will be topped by a penthouse for tenants’ recreational use. Century Development Group is developing the project and Flushing-based Raymond Chan is designing it. Completion is anticipated for the summer of 2017.
In the summer of 2015, the nine-story, 108-key Hyatt Hotel being developed at 27-07 43rd Avenue, in the Court Square section of Long Island City, was a single-story above street level. The Court Square Blog now reports the project is seven stories up. The new building will encompass 59,411 square feet and will have 49,589 square feet of commercial space. That works out to hotel rooms averaging a relatively spacious 450 square feet apiece. There will be a dining area on the ground floor and a gym, meeting rooms, and office rooms in the cellar, according to the Schedule A. Flushing-based Michael Kang is the architect of record and Prakash Patel, doing business as an anonymous LLC, is the developer. Completion is expected later this year.
