The Durst Organization has acquired the Queens Plaza Park development site at 29-37 41st Avenue in Long Island City, Queens. The site was purchased from a joint venture between Property Markets Group and Kamran Hakim for $167 million.
Original plans for the site called for condominium residences, but Durst now intends to build a one million square foot 1,000-unit residential rental tower under the proposed 421-a program if it passes. The proposed 421-a program requires that at least 25% of the units be affordable.
In addition to the tower, the site will include a half-acre public park and a renovated entrance to the Queens Plaza subway station. The transaction also included the purchase of the landmarked 49,300 square foot Queens Clock Tower Building.
“This is an extraordinary site with spectacular views and outstanding mass transit connectivity,” said Jonathan (Jody) Durst, President of the Durst Organization. “The project provides us with the opportunity to build much needed market-rate and affordable housing and to make the long-term investments in New York City that have been the bedrock of The Durst Organization’s success for more than 100 years. We look forward to joining, and working with, our new neighbors in Long Island City.
M&T Bank provided acquisition financing for this purchase. Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. represented The Durst Organization in the acquisition and financing. R&E attorneys Michael Lefkowitz and Christopher Nicosia handled the purchase while Dennis Hellman, Larry Mergentime and David Fries handled the financing. The transaction was brokered by Chris Peck of Holiday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.