27-21 44th Drive

Work Begins On 27-Story, 120-Unit Mixed-Use Building At 27-21 44th Drive, Long Island City

6:00 am on August 31, 2015 By Reid Wilson

Nearly a year ago, YIMBY reported on the initial filings for a 27-story, 120-unit mixed-use building at 27-21 44th Drive, in Long Island City, and then over the summer, schematic drawings were posted to the on-site fencing. Now, excavation and foundation work has begun, per The Court Square Blog. The latest filings call for a 112,376 square-foot tower, featuring 5,850 square feet of ground-floor retail, and units averaging 883 square feet on the floors above. Silvercup Properties is developing, while GF55 Partners is designing, and completion is expected in late 2017.

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A view of 481 Midland Avenue from the street, rendering by AB Architekten

Designing a Resilient Home in Staten Island After Hurricane Sandy

10:00 pm on August 28, 2015 By Rebecca Baird-Remba

When a storm surge slammed into Aimann Youssef’s house on Midland Avenue in Staten Island during Hurricane Sandy, he was devastated. Nearly three years later, the 45-year-old Syrian immigrant is taking steps to rebuild his house at 481 Midland Avenue, even if he can barely afford it. Tribeca-based AB Architekten, headed by Alex Blakely, created a simple, modern design for the two-family home.

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685 First Avenue

42-Story, 550-Unit Mixed-Use Tower Filed At 685 First Avenue, Murray Hill

4:30 pm on August 28, 2015 By Reid Wilson

Developer Sheldon Solow has filed applications for a 42-story, 770,812 square-foot mixed-use building at 685 First Avenue, Murray Hill, located five blocks from of Grand Central Terminal. The building will contain 550 residential units across nearly 705,000 square feet, for average units of 1,282 square feet. Retail space on the ground floor will measure 10,088 square feet, and amenity space will span the second and third floors, featuring a pool, fitness center, library, and private recreational and assembly spaces.

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Hilton Garden Inn at 93-43 Sutphin Boulevard, rendering by GF55 Partners

Developer Closes On 93-43 Sutphin Boulevard, Plans 27-Story, 325-Key Hotel, Jamaica

3:00 pm on August 28, 2015 By Reid Wilson

In July, YIMBY revealed renderings of Able Management Group’s planned 27-story Hilton Garden Inn at 93-43 Sutphin Boulevard, in downtown Jamaica, and now the developer has closed on site’s acquisition for an unknown amount. New building applications have also been filed, and the building will measure 110,208 square feet and contain 325 hotel room, up from 225 in our last report. The hotel will operate a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, and guest amenities will be located on the second and third floors. GF55 Partners is designing, and a single-story building must first be demolished.

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263 Bedford Avenue

Six-Story, 14-Unit Mixed-Use Building At 263 Bedford Avenue Lands Retail Tenant, Williamsburg

2:00 pm on August 28, 2015 By Reid Wilson

Late last year, John Hermanowski’s six-story, 14-unit mixed-use building topped out at 263 Bedford Avenue, in northwestern Williamsburg, and now the building has landed a retail tenant, according to Commercial Observer. Martha’s Country Bakery will take 3,300 square feet of space on the ground floor, and an additional 4,000 square feet in the cellar. The residential units above will spread across 18,265 square feet of space, for average units of 1,305 square feet. The bakery will open in early 2016 once the building finishes, and Jung Wor Chin is the architect of record.

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