The Durst Organization and general contractor Urban Atelier Group have topped out 20 and 30 Halletts Point in Astoria, Queens. Construction has taken one of the two towers in the development to its full 27-story height, and the other to its full 32-story stature. Designed by Handel Architects, the development features 647 apartments.
“The Durst Organization and our partners overcame several challenges to build 20-30 Halletts Point, to deliver new housing, retail and public open space for New Yorkers,” Alexander Durst, The Durst Organization’s principal and chief development officer, told Multi-Housing News. “Building on the waterfront means building to withstand flooding. The proximity to water makes the project unique, attractive and challenging.
“The buildings were designed so that all residential areas are well above the flood zone. That resiliency measure also enabled incredible views, even on lower floors.”\
Second phase
In the wake of the completion of 10 Halletts Point in 2019, the recently topped-off towers represent the second primary phase of development on the peninsula’s waterfront.
Halletts Point is a mixed-use, mixed-income development. When complete, it will provide 2,000 residential rental units provided by The Durst Organization in partnership with NYCHA’s Astoria Houses. The site will incorporate a new public waterfront esplanade and park, in addition to providing square footage for community retail.
Durst reports 20-30 Halletts Point featured a substantial application of recycled glass in concrete foundations. “[This is] a new innovation that will significantly lower the building’s carbon footprint,” he added. “It required a lot of coordination and was a great success.” Earlier this month, Sutphin Boulevard Equities landed $142 million in equity for the final stages of a more than 500-unit, 25-story apartment building in Queens.
