A Forest Hills co-op with a parking garage and near mass transit
Built in 1957, The Fairfax is a six-story co-op on a tree-lined road in Forest Hills. The red-brick building, occupying half a block, was designed by Clarence Lilien and H. Herbert Lilien, who were responsible for many apartment buildings throughout the city from the 1930s to the ’50s. Its two H-shaped wings allow for additional windows and exposures, while the staggered facade around the entrance brings light into residences and the lobby. When it was marketed in the 1950s, The Fairfax boasted “air-conditioning in every living room and bedroom with individual controls.” Today, that may not seem like such a selling point, but there is one original feature that can still pique a New Yorker’s attention: parking. The building not only has a garage, but, as spots are sold with units, there’s no waitlist. They can even be sublet (under certain conditions). Just blocks to both Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the shops and restaurants of Austin Street, not to mention express subway and Long Island Rail Road stations, The Fairfax’s location is another consideration for buyers.
Photo enthusiasts may be interested to know: Rock ’n’ roll and sports photographer Neal Preston grew up in the building, according to the Rego-Forest Preservation Council. His portfolio includes a slew of bold-faced names, from Bob Marley to Bono to Kobe Bryant.
Spacious layouts with relatively low common charges
One- through four-bedroom layouts are available at The Fairfax, which has a total of 72 units. Hardwood floors, ample closet space, living rooms with large windows and separate dining alcoves are common, as are spacious foyers that sometimes double as a library or additional seating area. Galley-style kitchens are the norm. Some homes have combined dining and living areas; those are more likely to have open kitchens with bar seating. Many residences, while well maintained, have dated tiling or cabinetry.
In the first quarter of 2025, a two-bedroom with one-and-a-half bathrooms was listed for $559,000, while a three-bedroom, two-bath asked nearly $700,000. A combination four-bedroom — of which there are just a few in the building — had a price tag of $895,000. A spacious, 800-square-foot one-bedroom sold in late 2024 for $349,000. Before that, the last transaction in the building was an October 2023 deal for a renovated four-bedroom, three-bath that sold for just over $1 million. Maintenance charges are less than some other co-ops in the area: Monthly fees for a one-bedroom, one-bath home at The Fairfax were $823 in early 2025, compared to The Versailles, on the same block, where the charge was $974. In addition, common changes include heat, hot water and real estate taxes. Sublets are allowed after two years, with board approval, but only for one year at a time.
A planted entry, plus a part-time doorman
Residents come home to a bright white lobby staffed by a part-time doorman. An elevated sitting area is next to the glass-enclosed entrance, offering a view of the street and passersby. The elevators have been recently updated, and the pet-friendly co-op has an on-site laundry room and live-in super. Although spots are included with units, parking still costs around $200 a month. The building is set back from the sidewalk and is edged by shrubs, small trees and flowering plants.
Shopping and dining on nearby Austin Street
The Fairfax sits on a block lined with similar brick residential buildings, although most have ground-floor offices. Here, it’s a dentist’s office with a five-star rating on Google. Austin Street, three blocks away, is a shopping and dining destination. Chains like Banana Republic Factory, Sephora and Shake Shack are there, as well as smaller stores and a variety of restaurants serving ramen, tacos, Korean comfort food or French fare. About an eight-minute walk, MacDonald Park is a pocket park with benches and a spring showing of tulips and flowering trees. Residents can hike around Willow Lake at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, also an eight-minute walk. The northern part of the green space is about a 15-minute drive and is home to Citi Field, where the Mets play, and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the site of the annual U.S. Open. The Queens Zoo, The National Hall of Science and The Queens Museum are also on park grounds. A Trader Joe’s is on the other side of MacDonald Park, and a Key Food Supermarket and a Foodtown can be found along Austin Street. Forest Hills Stadium, which hosts a summer concert series, is about 15 minutes from the co-op on foot.
A 30-minute commute to Midtown
The E, F, M and R trains stop about four blocks away at the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station; the ride to Midtown’s Rockefeller Center stop on the express F takes about 30 minutes. There’s also a Long Island Rail Road stop in Forest Hills, about a 10-minute walk. The train takes about 30 minutes to reach Grand Central. Interstate 25 — which provides a straight shot to Manhattan via the Queensboro Bridge or to JFK Airport — runs through the neighborhood and is about a block from The Fairfax. The Grand Central Parkway is a short drive west and goes through northern Queens into the Bronx and Long Island.
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Building Details
Recreation
Private Pool
Park
Parking
1 Parking Space
On-Street Parking
Pet Policy
Dogs and Cats Allowed
Condo Association
Association fees include grounds care, hot water, sewer, trash, water, air conditioning, heat, exterior maintenance
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
2/ 10
Bikeable
Bike Score®
60/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 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
Willow Lake Playground
5 min walk
Basketball
Playground
MacDonald Park
6 min walk
Multi-Purpose Field
Hawthorne Park Forest Hills
9 min walk
Multi-Purpose Field
Yellowstone Municipal Park
11 min walk
Russell Sage Playground
13 min walk
Plaza 67
3 min drive
Anandale Park
3 min drive
Annadale Playground
3 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Albert H. Mauro Playground
4 min drive
Schools
Source:
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