A one million square foot office tower will be part of the LIC Waterfront Master Plan according to Tom Elghanayan, the co-founder of TF Cornerstone. This is the first salient detail revealed about what the developers are contemplating for the 28-acre assemblage, and is an indication they are open to compiling a whole new playbook for the area. I say contemplating because they are still in the process of gathering community input prior to putting forth their initial proposal.
If it comes to pass, an office building would be a step in the right direction for this plan. One of the major attributes of having Amazon in LIC was that office space would supplant thousands of additional residential units and the crowding that would come with the latter would be mitigated, in other words:
“…by placing the workers in LIC as opposed to Manhattan, it will fill the empty subway cars deadheading back to Flushing in the morning and Hudson Yards in the evening. Or better yet, commuters can easily walk or bike to work “
It’s too bad the above isn’t about most of the acreage but a million square feet is a million square feet …less. An added bonus is the daytime revenues these workers would spend at the local retailers in this bedroom community.
Another point shared by Mr. Elghanayan in the video interview by The Real Deal mentioning the office tower, is that it will be placed where Amazon was considering placing a similar tower. I’ve got to believe that’s directly on the East River, possibly where Matthew Barney’s studio is currently? Given the level of exposure of that vantage point to all of NYC, I think it’s fair to say the developers are expecting an anchor tenant, and probably one that’s consumer oriented and thus very well known…
Anonymous says
February 16, 2020 at 11:47 amWon’t hold our breath here. The local politicians destroy all opportunities.
Anonymous says
February 19, 2020 at 11:21 am“Empty subway cars”???