LIC TO GET HOMELESS SHELTER AND STARBUCKS?

The Court Square Blog has uncovered permits for the lot at 21-16 44th Drive that link to a developer named Alan Lapes who’s made a very profitable living operating homeless shelters for NYC.  Though it’s only slated to be 29 units and 44th Drive has a bit of a gritty feel to it, I’m sure the 75 condo owners in The Industry across the street are less than thrilled.  As are probably the owners of other buildings and lots along 44th Drive hoping to develop or sell to those looking to convert it to a more upscale pocket.

//Staying on topic with real estate, Bisnow, a commercial real estate site and conference organizer, held their annual LIC RE powwow today and several interesting tidbits were revealed:

-David Maundrell, the president of aptsandlofts.com, whose firm is marketing QLIC on Queens Boulevard, shared that there has been a tremendous absorption since they started leasing four weeks ago, with 150 rental units already spoken for out of 421 available.  40% of their tenants are coming from Queens, 40% from Manhattan, and 20% elsewhere, especially out of state.

-The Factory, the new loft like building in Court Square that’s in the very early stages of construction, is courting foreign buyers as well as locals.  Rick Rosa, the head of Douglas Elliman’s LIC office, revealed that their international marketing partner, Knight Frank, has secured three sales out of Singapore.

-Finally, I’ll leave you with two comments from Sam Charney, who’s developing a medium-sized condo project near MoMA PS1.  “LIC is a poor man’s Dumbo or Tribeca” and he’s heard that Starbucks has inked a lease for their first LIC location…

//Hey, Hey We’re The Beatles – It was 50 years ago today, that The Beatles came to play at Shea.  Though they never went out of style,  even little ones are guaranteed to smile.

Well it was actually 50 years ago this past Sunday since the historic concert by The Beatles at Shea Stadium.  While the show’s impact on the music business was almost immediate, it took Queens another 40 or so years to catch up.  But we’re there now!

A Permit Pre-filed for 21-16 44th Drive Site Calls for 8-Story Hotel – they weren’t thrilled in Carroll Gardens about this developers arrival

For Some Landlords, Real Money in the Homeless – the city’s ineptitude is part of the problem

The Beatles 1965 US Tour – “Over 55,000 people saw the Beatles at Shea Stadium. We took $304,000, the greatest gross ever in the history of show business.”  The beginning of the end for Archie Bunker.

The Beatles Tour Reminiscence in Astoria – “yo dude, I was the first person ever to hold up my lighter at a concert …and now I’m still the last”

Tallest Tower in NYC Outside of Manhattan to Go Up in LIC – new renderings revealed of this previously announced 70+ story residential building.  Will be the 12th highest in the city if completed.

Sutton Place Mega Tower Runs Into Local Opposition – needle tower on 58th Street by East River planned – think Trumpesque or Macklowe skyline marring

Hologram of Above Tower – just south of bridge

O’Connor Closes Sale of 47th Avenue lot to City University – aka the back half of the Maximilian, CUNY could build 6-stories and house 200 units

Sweetleaf Opens in Greenpoint – just as we get word of LIC’s first Starbucks, our home grown cafe skips across the bridge and will also roast their own beans there

Unfringed Festival – at the Secret Theatre from Aug. 18 – 30.  Might there be nudity?  You’ll have to go see for yourself at this alternative-ish festival

Miss Queens To Be Crowned Next Month in LIC – while we’re on the subject of nudity, I mean the Secret Theatre, they’ll be holding the Miss Queens Pageant there next month