Court Square
Long Island City is currently undergoing a major development boom, rivaling any other New York neighborhood in this current period of thriving construction. In the LIC neighborhood of Court Square, projects seems to be announced daily and cranes dominate the skyline. One block in particular epitomizes this growth. Bounded by Jackson Avenue to the north and Purves Street and 44th Drive to the east and west, this block currently has three towers under construction simultaneously.
At the intersection of Jackson Avenue and 44th Drive.
Not yet out of the ground, Twining Properties' 27-story, 150,000 square foot rental tower will sit mid block, facing 44th Drive. Known as Watermark Court Square, the Handel Architects' designed tower will offer 168 units in a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. At the ground floor, the building will offer 2,500 square feet of retail space.
Northwest corner of Watermark Court Square (center) and 27-21 44th Drive (right).
Directly adjacent to the Twining Properties' tower, Silvercup Studios is developing a 26-story, 120 unit condo tower at 27-21 44th Drive. GF55 Partners is designing and construction is out of the ground, having reached the fifth floor with its concrete superstructure. Along with the 105,562 square feet of residential space, the ground floor will feature 6,780-square feet of commercial space.
Northwest corner of Watermark Court Square (left) and 27-21 44th Drive (right).
West facade of 27-21 44th Drive.
The third project on the block, a 35-story rental tower at 44-28 Purves Street, sits at the south end, nearest to Thomson Avenue. Developed by Brause Realty and the Gotham Organization, the tower features a massing of layered vertical slabs that will increase the number of corner units from the typical rectangular extruded site footprint of many towers. The tower's east west orientation will offer residents with views towards Queens to the east and Lower Manhattan to the west. A mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments will be offered from the tower's 270 units. Retail space and amenities will be located in a two story podium that spans the block.
Looking north from the intersection of 44th Drive and Thomson Avenue with 43-25 Hunter Street (far left), Watermark Court Square (left), 27-21 44th Drive (right), and 44-28 Purves Street (far right).
Looking north towards 44-28 Purves Street from Thomson Avenue.
44-28 Purves Street from Thomson Avenue.
South facade of 44-28 Purves Street.
Looking north towards 27-21 44th Drive (left) and 44-28 Purves Street (right).
Looking south on Purves Street towards 44-28 Purves Street.
Northeast corner of 44-28 Purves Street.
Looking up at the east facade of 44-28 Purves Street.
Architects: Handel Architects (Watermark Court Square), GF55 Partners (27-21 44th Drive) FXFOWLE (44-28 Purves Street); Developers: Twining Properties (Watermark Court Square), Silvercup Studios (27-21 44th Drive), Brause Realty and the Gotham Organization (44-28 Purves Street); Program: Residential, Retail; Location: Court Square, Long Island City, NY; Completion: 2017.
