The Rowan Astoria is the first phase of one of the largest new residential projects in Astoria, Queens. It consists of a 46-unit condo building attached to a glass lobby with green roof surrounded by a landscaped entrance plaza and private garden that will also serve the forthcoming second phase.

The client was looking to build a luxury condominium, with retail to engage the 31st Street commercial corridor in Astoria, Queens. They also wanted to incorporate extensive landscaping and capitalize on the incredible views of the Manhattan skyline to the South. Also, the financial model of the project required that the site be developed as 2 building, over 2 phases, and they should share the same DNA.

To achieve this, a single-story, glass-enclosed lobby was set in the middle of the site, dividing the two phases of the lot. Surrounded by the extensive landscaping on its roof, the entry plaza and private garden, and the waterfall beyond, the lobby serves as the singular entry to both the completed phase 1 building to its South, and forthcoming phase 2 building to its North. The lobby design features a wood slat enclosure that directs views out to the private garden.

The six-story building massing steps down from the landscaped roof with Manhattan-facing terraces that create open, light-filled spaces and an approachable building that blends to the height of the existing neighborhood. The façade features intricately detailed masonry that steps in and out and shifts coursing orientations to visually break up the size of the building and give a varied texture when viewed from the street.

Each residence has been laid out to maximize light and view, with 10-foot ceilings, large-scale 4’x8’ windows and 6” wide white oak plank floors in every apartment. The kitchens mix custom walnut cabinets and a Miele appliance package with Ceppo di Gre stone counters, and island pendants by Brendan Ravenhill. The master bathrooms feature Basalt and Pelle Grigio marble, along with a full-height glass shower enclosure, lit by a wash of indirect light from an overhead cove.

Amenities include the landscaped roof terrace, a resident lounge, private garden, gym, children’s room, music room, dog wash room, and resident storage.

The building also includes retail spaces to engage the streetscape. Finally, an automated parking system, one of the first of its kind in NYC, is employed to maximize parking efficiency while providing a valet experience to the residents.

Photography by Florian Holzherr and RARE Photography.