The Orchard Rises: Queens' Tallest Tower Redefines Long Island City's Skyline

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – January 12, 2026 – The Long Island City skyline has a new king. BLDG Management Co., Inc. today officially launched leasing for The Orchard, a colossal 70-story tower that now stands as the tallest building in Queens. Soaring 823 feet over the rapidly transforming neighborhood, the development introduces 824 new residences and an amenity package of unprecedented scale, aiming to set a new benchmark for luxury living while navigating the complex dynamics of a community in flux.

Located on a full city block at the intersection of Orchard Street and Jackson Avenue, the tower is a statement of ambition. It comprises 576 market-rate rental apartments and 248 homes designated as affordable, all supported by over 100,000 square feet of lavish indoor and outdoor facilities. With move-ins anticipated for February 2026, The Orchard represents a pivotal moment for both its developer, which has owned the site for nearly six decades, and for Long Island City itself.

“We’re incredibly proud to introduce The Orchard, a project that reflects our long-standing commitment to shaping the future of Long Island City,” said Lloyd Goldman, President of BLDG Management. “Having owned this site for nearly 60 years, we set out to create a development that honors the neighborhood’s history and elevates its modern identity.”

A New Architectural Landmark

Designed by the renowned architectural firm Perkins Eastman, The Orchard’s sheer height makes it an instant landmark, officially surpassing previous record-holders like the nearby Skyline Tower and Sven. Its façade of brick, glass, and metal is intended to pay homage to the area’s industrial heritage, a nod to the site's past life as home to the American Steel Wool Building. When illuminated, its crown is designed to serve as a prominent beacon on the New York City skyline, visible for miles.

The interiors, crafted by McCartan, continue this theme of industrial modernism. The experience begins with a covered porte-cochère leading into a grand, double-height lobby, setting a tone of urban sanctuary. The residences, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, feature high ceilings and oversized windows, with kitchens appointed with stainless steel appliances and custom cabinetry. Each of the building’s residential floors is accented with a signature color—red, blue, yellow, or green—allowing residents a subtle sense of personalization within the massive structure.

Eight model residences, designed by Lori Bruno Interiors, are now open for tours, showcasing a lifestyle of curated art, custom fabrics, and layered design intended to evoke the rhythm of the city.

The Amenities Arms Race

In New York’s hyper-competitive luxury rental market, The Orchard is making its biggest statement through its amenities. The development boasts a staggering 100,000 square feet of communal space, a figure that dwarfs many of its competitors. The crown jewel is the 60,000-square-foot landscaped “Backyard” on the third floor—a private park larger than many public green spaces in the city.

Designed by landscape architecture studio HMWhite, this verdant retreat features an apple orchard, a resort-style pool with cabanas, three pickleball courts, a running track, and an outdoor media screen. It also includes a great lawn, a yoga deck, barbecue grills, a fire pit, a children's playground, and a dog park. This sprawling outdoor oasis is complemented by the “Fieldhouse,” an indoor wellness center with a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness center, a boxing studio, a full-size indoor basketball court, and an aquatic center with a lap pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna.

For work and entertainment, “The Commons” on the fourth floor offers a multi-sport simulator, an arcade, screening theaters, and a business center complete with co-working areas, conference rooms, and a podcast studio. Capping it all off is the 70th-floor Sky Lounge, a full-floor retreat offering all residents penthouse-level views, a bar, and a full-service kitchen.

“Long Island City is one of New York’s most dynamic residential markets, with strong demand for full-service living,” said Jodi Stasse, Executive Vice President of New Developments at The Corcoran Group, the exclusive leasing agent. “The Orchard takes that lifestyle to the next level with striking architecture, thoughtfully designed interiors, and expansive outdoor spaces.”

A Neighborhood of Growing Pains

While The Orchard promises an unparalleled lifestyle for its residents, its arrival highlights the intense pressures facing Long Island City. The neighborhood has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in New York City, with a forest of glass towers replacing low-rise industrial buildings in just over a decade. This boom has placed immense strain on local infrastructure.

Residents and local officials have long voiced concerns that the pace of development is outstripping the capacity of public services. Overcrowding on the 7, E, M, and G subway lines is a daily reality, and community members worry about the impact of thousands of new residents on schools, sanitation, and sewer systems. The Orchard, with its 824 households, will add significantly to that population density.

Some community advocates argue that the relentless focus on luxury development contributes to gentrification, pushing up rents and displacing long-time residents. With vacancy rates in Queens hovering below 2%, the demand for housing is undeniable, but questions persist about who the new supply truly serves.

The ‘Affordable’ Housing Question

The inclusion of 248 affordable units at The Orchard is part of the city’s strategy to create mixed-income communities, made possible through the 421a tax incentive program. However, a closer look at the eligibility requirements reveals a more complex picture. The units are designated for households earning 130% of the Area Median Income (AMI), targeting middle-income New Yorkers rather than those with the greatest need.

According to the city’s housing lottery, eligible annual incomes for these units range from approximately $105,000 for a single person to over $261,000 for a larger family. The corresponding monthly rents start at $2,912 for a studio and climb to nearly $5,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. While below the building's market-rate pricing, these figures remain out of reach for many existing residents and low-income workers.

For housing advocates, this raises familiar questions about the definition of “affordable” in New York’s superheated market. According to one local community board member, while any new affordable units are welcome, developments like The Orchard underscore the widening gap between the housing being built and the housing the community desperately needs.

With starting market-rate rents ranging from the mid-$3,000s to over $10,000, The Orchard is clearly aimed at the highest end of the market. As its first residents prepare to move in, the tower stands not only as a physical landmark but also as a symbol of the economic forces shaping the future of Long Island City and the ongoing debate over growth, equity, and the very character of the neighborhood.