The first high-rise residence to go up on Long Island City’s waterfront
Like most parts of Brooklyn and Queens that line the East River, Long Island City’s waterfront has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past few decades. Soaring residential high-rises have replaced disused factories and warehouses while derelict docks have been turned into meticulously landscaped parks. Such is New York’s hard-fought but seemingly necessitated evolution from industrial epicenter to financial and tech-industry powerhouse. The first waterfront tower of its kind to have gone up in Hunters Point -- a pocket of especially well connected and Midtown-adjacent Queens -- is the CityLights building. Climbing 42 stories and with a whopping 522 units, the uniquely -set-backed and massed co-op/condop was designed by the late, great Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli and completed between 1996 and 1998. “Because of the age of the building, residences here tend to be larger than the area average nowadays, especially as they were some of the first to attract buyers from Manhattan to the neighborhood,” says Mary Torres, a salesperson with Modern Spaces and long-time building resident. “Location is a key factor as well when considering how close we are to Midtown and Brooklyn.”
A unique type of luxury residential tower with generously sized layouts
CityLights is a co-op but also called a condop, a type of building that also combines aspects of a condo. According to Torres, this definition varies widely from building to building. In this case, the structure’s five-story retail podium — featuring commercial and institutional tenants like a spa, dry-cleaner, a public elementary school and early learning center -- is operated as a condo. Everything above is the co-op portion. “One notable difference here is that prospective homeowners, shareholders, don’t have to sit for a board interview but still need to pass their approval,” she notes. Once having lived here full time for a year, residents can rent out their units or utilize them as pied-a-terres.
As all listings that come on the market are now resale, the state of renovation varies greatly. That said, Pelli and his team introduced a suite of high-end and durable elements that, at least in common areas, are well maintained. The lobby for instance is finished in mid-tone hardwood paneling, a feature indicative of late 1990’s luxury interior styling. While standard- size 502 square-feet studios sell for just under $500,000, 815- square- foot one bedrooms top out at $750,000. The largest two bedrooms — incorporating 1,500 square feet of space — sell for $1.2 million. Slightly larger three bedrooms go for $1.5 million and combined 2,268 square-foot four bedrooms go for $1.9 million. As in any tower of this size, units tend to fetch a premium as they get higher, especially those with western exposures and choice views. Given the way this particularly elongated structure rises and progressively sets back along its south and north facades, certain units benefit from small terraces. The architect’s goal here was to provide as many residences as possible with at least partial East River and Midtown skyline views. Some of the units on the sixth floor feature oversized private roof decks.
A massive green roof with a full-sized tennis court and other full-service amenities
The previously mentioned lobby is helmed by full- time door attendants and concierges. “The staff here is well managed,” Torres mentions. “There’s very little turnover and so much of them have had a long tenure working here.” Along with a large, staffed fitness center with free weight room and workout classes factored into the monthly maintenance fee, there’s also a sauna, children’s playroom, media room, bike storage and a sizable laundry facility. CityLight’s best amenity, however, is its massive certified green roof deck on the sixth floor replete with a full-sized tennis court. Though there aren’t any grills, there are plenty of outdoor dining set ups and lounge chairs. The five-story parking garage is managed by the building and offers both homeowners and renters reduced rates as low as $149 per month.
Burgeoning Hunters Point within Long Island City, Queens
According to Torres, the Hunters Point pocket of Long Island City might not yet have a ton of retail but there’s a surprisingly good amount of both high-end and casual dining options here. Upscale Mexican restaurant Casa Enrique is joined by cozy eatery American Brass and many Bubble Tea joints. Area microbreweries include Fifth Hammer. Waterfront options include Italian mainstay Maiella and Pan-Asian go-to SHI. Foodcellar Market is the closest grocery store.
City Lights is equidistant to two converted waterfront parks including Gantry Plaza State Park, with 12-acres of picnic lawns, repurposed docks, a playground and the iconic Pepsi- Cola sign. Through well kept walking and cycling paths, it connects directly into Hunters Point South Park; an architecturally innovative green space with undulating pathways and curvilinear viewing perches looking out onto Manhattan across the water, a preserved wet land ecosystem, volleyball and basketball courts. Between the two is the recently opened Steven Holl-designed Queens Public Library at Hunters Point, a cutting-edge civic structure with large organically shaped windows and a stepped interior.
Key centrality when it comes to transportation
When it comes to transportation, CityLights is particularly well positioned. While the nearby Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue subway station is served by the 7 line that cuts across Midtown Manhattan, the 21 Street station is served by the G line that runs through most “trendy” Brooklyn neighborhoods including adjacent Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights and even Park Slope. There are also two ferry terminals within equal proximity to the building: the Hunters Point South and Long Island City stations. They offer a direct connection to the East 34th Street terminal in Manhattan and Wall Street. The Long Island City train station just a few blocks south is served by the Long Island Rail Road, which allows residents to seamlessly connect to most parts of this suburban and eventually rural section of New York State. They can also easily reach JFK Airport and even The Hamptons.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
6/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
82/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
95/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Gantry Plaza State Park
1 min walk
Fishing
Trails
Playground
Andrews Grove
3 min walk
Playground
Old Hickory Playground
6 min walk
Playground
Hunter's Point South Park
6 min walk
Basketball
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Mary O'Conner Park
7 min walk
Murray Playground
13 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Robert Moses Playground
3 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Dog Park
Trails
Greenpoint Playground
4 min drive
Playground
Greenpoint Landing Esplanade
4 min drive
Picnic Area
Trails
River
Schools
Source:
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