Murano, 5-19 Borden Avenue: Review and Ratings

Review of 5-19 Borden Avenue by Carter Horsley

The very attractive Murano at 5-19 Borden Avenue in Hunter’s Point in Queens is a 12-story residential condominium building that was completed in 2012 and is distinguished by its torqued mass and its lighting program. 

It was developed by Hudson Equities and Jim Plotkin. 

It has 76 apartments.

Bottom Line

This handsome development commands double-takes for its teetering shift about half-way up and for its very colorful light show.

Description

Named after the island near Venice famed for its colorful glass-making, this building has a computerized lighting system for its exterior and lobby that changes its hue every hour that presumably transforms “the all-glass building into a glowing, sculptural wonder.” 

It also pays homage to Venice’s romance by surrounding itself with water over which small bridges are provided for residents and guests.  Between the “moat” and the sidewalk are sunken landscaping areas. 

The lower eight floors of the building have narrow, triangular balconies on its Borden Avenue façade while large, rectangular balconies adorn the upper four floors.

Amenities

The building has a doorman, a gym, a bicycle room, cold storage, a package room, a roof deck, and available parking. It permits pets. 

Apartments

Apartments have white pine cabinetry, Corian tiles and countertops and Smeg kitchen appliances. 

Bathroooms have Darius Design fixtures and teak cabinetry with pebbled tiling, Himarchal stone wall and a deep free-standing tub. 

Apartment F on the 2^nd through the 7^th floors is a one-bedroom unit with a 17-foot-long living/dining room with a small triangular balcony and a 9-foot-kitchen. 

Apartment A on the 2^nd through the 7^th floors is a two-bedroom unit with a 25-foot-long living/dining room with a 9-foot-long open kitchen with an island and wrap-around corner balcony.     

Apartment H on the 2^nd through the 7^th floors is a two-bedroom unit with a 24-foot-long living/dining room with a 9-foot-long open kitchen with an island and a small triangular balcony.

Apartment M on the 8^th through the 10^th floors is a two-bedroom unit with a 21-foot-long living/dining room with an open, kitchen with an island and a 25-foot-long triangular balcony.    

Apartment E on the 2^nd through the 7^th floors is a two-bedroom unit with a 17-foot-long living/dining room with a 8-foot-long open kitchen with an island and a small triangular balcony.