Luxury Apartment Rental Buildings & Condos in Astoria (versus Long Island City )

    Folks who read my Walking Tours of Astoria complimented how pretty the neighborhood is.  They love the mix of old and new buildings.  They notice that most of the buildings in Astoria are low or mid-rise (due to zoning), which keeps things cozy and visually appealing.

    People know of the high-rise "doorman" buildings going up in Long Island City, just south of Astoria.  Yet, people also bemoan LIC's lack of "life balance": its void of markets, eateries, bars, shops, houses of worship, "green spaces" and community events.  Below, it's a bit like the residential towers near Wall Street's financial district...

Very different than leafy-green Astoria (below)...

    So, I was asked if Astoria has "doorman buildings" or any new high-rise construction.  Sure!  Here they are (some aren't far from me):

These handsome luxury apartment buildings stand on 31st Avenue, 5 quick blocks from the N/Q subway line.

New buildings are being erected as I type this.  For example...

C-Town supermarket on Broadway (above) was razed to build a luxury apt house (below).  The market will occupy some of the ground-floor retail space.

Many plans are underway for new construction:

The Baron (above) and The Grove (below)

Recently, the mayor "broke ground" for Astoria Cove (below)...

Doorman buildings like "12-15 Broadway" have great city skyline views, fitness center, roof deck (with BBQ/bar), residents' lounge, entertaining terraces on the 4th floor, and bike storage (3 below):

Yes, it is further from the subway, but it has parking...

     Equally close to the East River (and skyline views) is this building...

East River Tower (above/below) is a modern high-rise, 

 ...mere steps from Socrates Sculpture Park (below).

    Right next to it is this turn-of-the-century brick building...

Previously a furniture factory, 

it's been "converted" to handsome apartments.  

     Speaking of which...

Shore Towers is the biggest development, at the moment, featuring shuttle busses to certain supermarkets and destination points around Astoria.

Exo Towers sits on Astoria Boulevard, steps from the subway.  Aside from its Concierge and gym, it affords lovely skyline views from its roof deck.

Yet, still you're within Astoria's bustling liveliness, great food, handsome architecture, and culture.

 Tea Plus Cafe is nestled in a new apartment building on 31st Avenue (above and both below) with amazing varieties of tea (see the sample wall), crepe cake from Lady M, and lovely French pastry.

Almost directly north, on 30th Avenue, is Leli's Bakery: sweet & savory under one roof!

That won't be found in LIC.  

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

See my Walking Tours of Astoria:
http://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2015/06/walking-tour-streets-food-architecture.html