Some faves. Images you won't see again in 2012, if indeed you see them in 2009.

More where that came from

Posted by Amol at 12:58 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

We are near year's end, the magical boom year of LIC. Unfortunately, 2008 turned out to be the year that the real estate market hit a wall nationally.

But in New York it kept pottering along -- perhaps not ever higher, but it certainly didn't look like Miami.

Long Island City, however, seems perhaps the most attractive place in the whole town!

"After looking at countless Manhattan properties half the size, the couple broke the record for the most expensive condo sold in Queens with their purchase of a $2.995 million, 3,225-square-foot penthouse, with two terraces totaling 4,500 square feet, at Arris Lofts. Counting the outdoor space, that's just $388 per square foot.

Tencza was attracted to the convenience. With the Queens Court transit hub across the street, it takes him 15 minutes to get to work, whereas it takes his son "12 minutes just to walk to the 6 train" from his Upper East Side home. His wife was won over by the space, particularly outdoors, which after moving from their 7,000-square-foot house on two acres in the suburbs was the best possible consolation she could offer their three dogs. "

More from The Real Deal survey (by the way, check out and enjoy the picture of mommy and daughter on top of the Arris...where's the Pomeranian?)

Posted by Amol at 07:05 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

The golden age of buying in LIC might have been 10 years ago...but then you would have had to wait ten years for Vine Wine and LIC bar and so forth.

Maybe, rather -- it's now?

The folks representing the Hunters Point Condos seem to have been on a tear in the last week. With mortgage rates falling sharply, apparently they closed more than a dozen units in one week.

And of course there are these other towering projects all along Jackson Ave. Rapidly completing. Looking pretty decent really.

Low low rates, momentum in the neighborhood, and nice quality stuff coming in that's priced to be a better value than Midtown. Sounds good to us...

Here is the NYT's take from today's paper (on the big picture):

Unfortunately, we do not know when this golden age will begin, because we will be able to identify a bottom to the housing market only with the benefit of hindsight. But as it does with the stock market, the moment will probably arrive when everyone is feeling the most pessimistic.

That moment is certainly getting closer. Housing prices have fallen drastically from their peak levels in many areas of the country. Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are already close to 5.5 percent, and this week there were suggestions that the federal government might try to drive them down to 4.5 percent, a truly incredible figure to be able to lock in for three decades.

Posted by Amol at 09:26 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

A combination of big changes underway at Court Square -- where the E, V, and the mighty 7 meet.

They are closing two little streetlets to make way for a major new pedestrian/subway connection from the underground E/V/G to the 7.

Meanwhile, demolition is just about done for the huge new 20+ story hotel from the Japanese chain Tokoyon.

More pics

Posted by Amol at 08:18 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

Cost cutting in the fancy Manhattan corporate suites....means maybe the NYT is coming to LIC?

Posted by Amol at 10:35 AM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

The new "East of East" condo coming to Jackson Ave is looking promising.

Having seen the source material for the architecture, this particular image stuck in our mind. Inspiration? Wait till you see this thing!

Posted by Amol at 03:07 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

Over on Chowhound, a lovely summary of your options for dining in LIC: (More of them every day!)

Best Food/Value: La Vuelta and Bella Via
Latin: La Vuelta
Pizza: Bella Via
Not Thin Crust Pizza: A&J Pizzeria
Diner: Court Square Diner (hamburger and greek salad recommended)
Italian: Manducatis, Da Gianni (honorable mention to Manetta's)
Coffee: Brasil Coffee House
Turkish: Turkish Grill (42-03 Queens Blvd)
French: Tournesol
Lounge: Lounge 47, The Creek and the Cave
Steak: Jackson Avenue Steakhouse (by default- take the G to Peter Luger!)
Chinese: Fortune Cookie (by default- take the 7 to Main Street)
Hole in the Wall Latin Takeout: Las Vegas
Japanese: BANY (sushi and mango chicken)
Barbeque: Lucky Mojos (or take the 7 to Times Square for Virgil's)
Indian: Five Star
Deli: Sage, Kitchen Door (spicy wrap)
Chain Sandwiches: Quiznos
Bar/Pub w/good food: McReilly's pub (good hamburger)
Bar/Pub w/so-so food: Shannon Pot
Bar/Pub that's over 100 years old: Brooks
Tea: Communitea
Brunch: Cafe Henri, Blend, Tournesol
Bagels: Bricktown
Donuts: Dunkin Donuts (Queens Plaza- by default)
Ice Cream: Baskin Robbins (Queens Plaza- by default)
Mexican: De Mole (not LIC but close enough)
Burrito not from De Mole: Tost
Tamales: Original Mexican Grocery (Astoria)
Mexican/Italian/Bakery Fusion: La Flor (also not LIC but very good)
Overpriced American: Water's Edge
Overpriced Seafood: Waterfront Crab House
Thai: Gaw Gai Thai Express (23-06 Jackson Ave)
Unfriendly/Incompetent Thai: Tuk Tuk (Vernon Blvd)

Posted by Amol at 03:03 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

The delicious pizza, the lovely handmade gelato, the very friendly and charming owner. And the Manducatis family tradition behind it!

Where it is

View Larger Map

And a review

Posted by Amol at 02:59 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

This humble little B of A site looks slated to become a big tower. Hence they are moving across Jackson Ave next to Sage at Pearson Street.

The demolition next to the 7 train station there is nearly done -- coming soon is a 200,000 square foot Japanese hotel.

Posted by Amol at 02:40 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

The lonely and sometimes excellent corner pizzeria at Jackson and 44th Drive has changed hands again. This time, apparently someone wants to try a Japanese-Korean-Italian format. Hmm.

Posted by Amol at 02:36 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

From the boards....
Toddlers and small children in LIC
There is a great meet up group for parents with babies and toddlers in Long Island City. It is called Little in the City and has around 90 members. You can get involved at: http://parents.meetup.com/377

In addition, there are lots of fantastic classes for babies and toddlers in the neighborhood. Here is a list of some of the classes and their websites where you can get further information:

Music for Aarvarks: www.audrarox.com/
Jeff's Music Together: http://jeffsmusictogether.com/
Bilingual Birdies (spanish): http://www.bilingualbirdies.com/
LIC Yoga Room (yoga for babies and toddlers): http://www.the-yoga-room.com/yogaroom_lic/index.html
Swim classes at the LIC YMCA: http://www.ymcanyc.org/index.php?id=1091
LIC Ballet School: http://www.licsb.com/

Posted by Amol at 10:29 PM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)

Pricing is starting to show pressure in weaker parts of New York -- down in Harlem or the East Village, says the Times

According to the guys behind the research, Queens prices are back to roughly where they were in Summer 2005.

And the number of listings is now higher than the number of sales in the quarter -- which means average time on the market should be longer than 3 months. more

Though looking more deeply shows that the drops in the "old" parts of the borough are probably steeper than the 10% over last year average -- because LIC and Astoria are offering at far higher prices. More in a Tribune piece here.

On the whole -- what you have been hearing in the overall news is showing in this quarters purchase numbers.

Posted by Amol at 11:39 AM | Link | Save to | | Email this (new!)