Rendering of 11-12 30th Drive from East River (Rendering via HAAK Architects)
With the coming of the East River Ferry this August, developers are rubbing their hands together as the Astoria waterfront becomes a launching pad for large-scale residential development. With recent completions such as Graffiti House and East River Tower, and the master plans of Hallets Point and Astoria Cove on the horizon, Criterion Group is beginning construction on a massive 711-unit project on Vernon Boulevard.
Addressed at 11-12 30th Drive (30-77 Vernon Boulevard / 30-80 12th Street), the block-long property formerly held a single-story warehouse belonging to the wholesale grocer, Bohea Associates. The site was put on the market for $60M in summer 2014 and Shibber Khan’s Criterion Group paid $57M for it later that year.
The cleared site in March (CityRealty)
From Vernon Boulevard (CityRealty)
The warehouse buildings have since been cleared and on-site workers and machines are busy prepping for excavation. Recently refreshed permits call for two new buildings: a sprawling 9-floor wing with 569 apartments and views of the East River and Manhattan skyline, and a smaller 6-floor building with 142 apartments.146 of the units are planned to be affordable.
View looking west down 31st Avenue (HAAKS)
Anticipated amenities (HAAKS / Criterion Group)
Last week, blogger YIMBY uncovered a rendering, and now several others have been published on the architect's page. New Jersey-based HAAK Architects designed the multi-winged scheme cloaked in a collaged and layered facade.
According to EB-5 funding web pages, there will be a landscaped roof deck, lounges, game room, a sports court, fitness center and on-site parking. Renderings show there will be retail along 31st Avenue and a blank fortified wall will face Vernon Boulevard and the East River. Criterion group hopes to raise 18% of the development’s financing through EB-5.
Larger view of 11-12 30th Drive from East River (Rendering via HAAK Architects)
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