Just like residential real estate, commercial spaces in New York City are always popping up - and not just in Manhattan. Over the last few years, we've seen Long Island City grow as a major and more affordable destination for new and growing companies but now, new neighborhoods, including Sunset Park and some areas in the Bronx are revamping their former factories and warehouses to keep up with demand. See our list below of 8 recent and future adaptive-reuse office projects in the outer boroughs.
This former World War II torpedo factory was built in 1918 by the E.W. Bliss Company and has been recently redeveloped by Madison Realty Capital. Named after the Whale Oil Company, which once had offices there, it is now a flexible office space with views of New York Harbor, the Manhattan skyline, and the Statue of Liberty. It offers 7 stories, 500,000 square feet of space, 14-20' ceilings, and a parking garage. A lobby cafe is also coming soon. Its latest occupant is soccer startup Socceroof which offers pickup games, group entertainment packages and children’s parties on its indoor playing fields.
The building is adjacent to the Brooklyn Army Terminal and a number of restaurants along the bustling Fourth Avenue. Whale will provide a shuttle bus from the building to the NYC Ferry landing and the N/D/R subway station at 36th Street.
The building is adjacent to the Brooklyn Army Terminal and a number of restaurants along the bustling Fourth Avenue. Whale will provide a shuttle bus from the building to the NYC Ferry landing and the N/D/R subway station at 36th Street.
Located at 341 39th Street, right across from Industry City, is Sunset Yards, another redevelopment by Madison Realty Capital in Sunset Park. The 10-story former garment factory and warehouse has undergone a floor-to-ceiling renovation and now offers an attended and furnished lobby, indoor bike storage, ground-floor retail, and 360 degrees of Brooklyn, New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty, and Manhattan skyline views. And for foodies, there will be a rotation of local food trucks every weekday that is directly accessible from the lobby loading dock, which features a mural by artist Mike Perry.
The D, N, R trains are just four blocks away at 36th Street. Other local destinations include Sunset Park, Tacos El Bronco, and Brooklyn Flea.
The D, N, R trains are just four blocks away at 36th Street. Other local destinations include Sunset Park, Tacos El Bronco, and Brooklyn Flea.
This 8-story building was originally built as a major baking facility for the Great
Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company and later became the world's largest warehouse and rebuilding facility for food processing and packaging equipment. After extensive renovations, this new office redevelopment, called Union Crossing, will bring over 280,000 square feet of office and studio space with retail on the ground floor.
Highlights of this forthcoming project include several floors featuring water and skyline views, 20+ foot ceilings, brand new passenger elevators and windows, and easy access to the 6 train, the Bruckner Expressway.
It's being developed through a partnership between Madison Realty Capital, The Altmark Group, The Bluestone Group, and Galil Management who acquired the site in 2015 for $44 million from the New York-based Union Standard Equipment Company.
It's being developed through a partnership between Madison Realty Capital, The Altmark Group, The Bluestone Group, and Galil Management who acquired the site in 2015 for $44 million from the New York-based Union Standard Equipment Company.
Long Island City's latest commercial redevelopment will turn this 7-story manufacturing space into 6.5 floors of offices and ground-floor retail space. The $25 million transformation is being spearheaded by Normandy Real Estate Partners and designed by Mancini Duffy. 43TEN will bring modern and flexible floor plans, unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and indoor/outdoor collaborative spaces on each floor, a double-height retail space, a public plaza, and a private garden on the ground floor.
The building, which is just one stop away from Midtown Manhattan, will be fully vacant and its 203,184 square feet can be available to a single tenant.
The building, which is just one stop away from Midtown Manhattan, will be fully vacant and its 203,184 square feet can be available to a single tenant.
Blanchard is a 7-story, 220,000-square-foot former warehouse building in Long Island City that underwent a recent $10 million renovation. It now boasts several upgrades including a new building entry and lobby on 51st Avenue, a new landscaped courtyard, and new mechanical and electrical systems. Tenants can look forward to an indoor/outdoor lobby cafe, large floor plans, exposed brick accents throughout, and of course, stellar views of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.
Blanchard is part of The Point LIC, a new commercial office and retail "community" located just minutes from Midtown Manhattan via the 7 train.
Blanchard is part of The Point LIC, a new commercial office and retail "community" located just minutes from Midtown Manhattan via the 7 train.
Also part of The Point LIC community, Paragon is a 7-story former industrial building that is now a 130,000-square-foot commercial development featuring a rooftop tenant amenity space, new 9 feet high windows, ceiling heights up to 17 feet, panoramic views of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, and ground-floor retail. Renovations were completed earlier this year.
Like Blanchard, it is close to Midtown Manhattan via the 7 train.
Like Blanchard, it is close to Midtown Manhattan via the 7 train.
(Normandy Real Estate Partners + Drake Street Partners)
Austell Place is a forthcoming reinvention of a 1916 printing plant into roughly 170,000 square feet of new offices and amenities. It is currently taking shape in Long Island City's industrial section between Sunnyside Yards and Dutch Kills and is being developed by Normandy Real Estate Partners and Drake Street Partners. The installation of new systems, including elevators and MEP and HVAC, are being handled by Kimmerle Newman Architects, and Architecture Plus Information (A+I) is behind the design of the lobby lounge, a wet bar, communal work areas, backyard outdoor space, bike room, showers, and additional common amenities.
Thanks to its close proximity to the 7 train, Grand Central and Midtown Manhattan are just seven minutes away.
Thanks to its close proximity to the 7 train, Grand Central and Midtown Manhattan are just seven minutes away.
Located in the heart of Long Island City's Factory District is this forthcoming redevelopment by Normandy Real Estate Partners. The existing industrial property at 25-11 49th Avenue will be transformed into a 9-story loft office building offering 50,000 square feet of office space, 14' exposed concrete ceilings, large factory windows, several outdoor terraces, and amenities.
It is expected to be delivered by 2019.
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Sandra Herrera
Sandra Herrera is a writer, editor, and graphic designer based in Brooklyn, NY.
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