A $2-billion plan from Bedrock Real Estate Partners, Kaufman Astoria Studios and Silverstein Properties for housing, commercial space, and other community uses is moving forward, following last week's meeting of the City Planning Commission.

Community hubVERO Digital

In a 10-3 vote, the Commission has approved the Innovation QNS project, which would rise from a sprawling site in Astoria, Queens that is roughly bounded by 35th Avenue, 36th Avenue, 37th Street, and 43rd Street. Project elements include:

  • 2,845 apartments - including 725 permanent affordable senior units, over 300 of which will be rented for less than $1,000 per month;
  • 200,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, including a new movie theater;
  • Two acres of open space - more than 25 percent of the project site;
  • a 90,000-square-foot community facility; and
  • an elementary school.

Rendering of Innovation QNSVERO Digital

"At a time when our housing crisis is more pronounced than ever, Innovation QNS is a big opportunity to take the pressure off the rents in this and surrounding communities," said Commission chair Dan Garodnick in a statement. "This project will change the lives of thousands of New Yorkers, providing them with stability in a vibrant neighborhood where little of that stability currently exists."

ODA is designing Innovation QNS, which would replace a mix of parking lots and smaller commercial buildings.

“The public realm is where we can shape culture and level the playing field in cities. We have the opportunity to have a major impact and create lasting change in the quality of life by embracing increased density in urban environments,” said ODA founder and executive director Eran Chen in a statement. “Our design dedicates a quarter of the ground floor to public outdoor use, and an additional 100,000 sf of street-level programming that will enhance the community experience.”

Civic Park on 35th AvenueVERO Digital

The project is still subject to approval by the New York City Council and Mayor Eric Adams.