A Promising Upgrade in the Works for the Columbia Leaf Building in LIC

A Brooklyn-based plumbers union is planning to renovate both the interior and exterior of the Columbia Leaf Building in Long Island City to create a new headquarters and, based on a rendering appeared on the construction fence at 50-02 5th Street recently, the results should be quite an improvement over the existing non-descript facade. The 50,000-square-foot building was offered for sale by Sunburst Advisors and ended up getting purchased in 2011 for $10,250,000. LIC Spot previously reported that the Plumbers Local Union No. 1 (currently based in Howard Beach) plans to move its headquarters here. Last month the DOB approved plans to convert the manufacturing building into office space and to renovate the exterior, but in no way enlarge the structure. Looks like they will brick up the exterior, add arched windows, and build out new entrances. According to LIC Spot, the Plumbers Union will rent out professional offices on the ground floor and occupy the offices on the upper floors. Work began just last month and is scheduled to last through June 2014. GMAP