Known for its diversity, Gay Pride parade, food from around the world, and glorious prewar apartments, Jackson Heights, in Queens, looks very different from Brooklyn. Instead of 19th century brownstones and bow-front rowhouses, its streets are dominated by behemoth early 20th century brick apartment buildings, many built around private shared gardens.

Inside, the layouts and details are gracious, with French doors, coved plaster ceilings, large foyers and sunken living rooms. The most coveted buildings are garden apartments from the 1920s, many of which boast elevators, fireplaces, sun rooms, and butler’s pantries. Some also have the added allure of relatively low maintenance charges (in the 700s for two-bedrooms) because they paid off their underlying building mortgages decades ago.

Spurred by the opening of the Queensboro bridge in 1909, Jackson Heights was planned and largely built by one developer, the Queensboro Corporation, from about 1910 to 1950. The historic district, which was designated in 1993, includes apartment buildings as well as rowhouses (the latter starting in 1924). Colonial Revival as well as Tudor and Spanish were typical styles.

The private gardens are thrown open to the public every June for a tour, which has been hosted by the Jackson Heights Beautification Group since 1988. The double English-style gardens at Greystones, a Gothic Revival complex finished in 1918, the enormous lawn at Hampton Court (1921), and the Italian-style garden at Towers (1925) are some of the most beautiful.

In the wider neighborhood, you won’t find many Brooklyn-style restaurants here — or much in the way of hipster culture generally — but you will find lots of young families and plenty of delicious things to eat.

Delicacies include curried chicken samosas and chai from Kabir’s Bakery, homemade milk sweets, Pakistani meat curries and bread cooked to order over a wood fire at Kebab King, American-style baked goods at coffee shop Espresso77, Colombian pastries and coffee at Seba-Seba, giant potato-stuffed crispy dosas with coconut raita and spicy sambal at vegetarian restaurant Dosa Delight, an impressive braised pork shank at Arunee Thai, and rotisserie chicken and cocktails at Pio Pio, a popular spot for large family celebrations.

The selection of grocery stores includes indian, Italian and Eastern European speciality shops. There is also a farmer’s market and a CSA.

The local elementary school, P.S. 69, has a good reputation, and the neighborhood is about 20 minutes to Midtown east via the E, F, R and 7 trains.

Prices run around $400 to $600 a square foot for a prewar apartment, considerably less than a comparable unit in a prime Brooklyn neighborhood, and generally less expensive than more far-flung Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Which one would you choose?

This three-bedroom, two-bath apartment with a wood-burning fireplace is located in the Towers, Jackson Heights’ most extravagant building. With generously sized rooms and multiple exposures, each apartment feels almost like a standalone house. This particular unit has been modernized with a contemporary tile mantel and sleek white kitchen with dark granite counters and pale wood floor. It’s on the second floor of an elevator building. The maintenance is $1,093 and there is an additional $156.52 monthly assessment for the rest of the year.

Jackson Heights Queens Apartments for Sale 33-27 80th Street

33-27 80th Street #2
Price: $949,000
Broker: Owner
See it here ->

This updated three-bedroom, one-bath in Linden Court has a sunroom, new Landmarks-approved Pella windows and an attractive Arts and Crafts style kitchen. There are French doors throughout the apartment, and a pretty mural of a tree in the hall. The maintenance on this second-floor walkup is $1,120.

Jackson Heights Queens Apartments for Sale 37-34 85th Street

37-34 85th Street #21
Price: $695,000
Broker: Mont Sky Real Estate (Chris Zhou)
See it here ->


Like these listings? You can save them! Start browsing Brownstoner Real Estate to see others like them. >>


Another in the Towers, this is one of the largest apartments in Jackson Heights, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. This particular unit has a wood-burning fireplace and most of its original details in place. It features a classic but updated kitchen with original butler’s pantry and upper cabinets as well as new lower cabinets, stone counters and white subway tile. It’s on the second floor and the monthly maintenance is $1,588.

Prewar Apartments in Jackson Heights 33-39 80th Street

33-39 80th Street #22
Price: $1.15 million
Broker: Douglas Elliman (Jon Fisher)
See it here ->

This two-bed, one-bath in the Norman-styled Chateau — another one of the area’s most desirable buildings — features a gracious entry, large dining and living area with a wood-burning fireplace, and an extra-large kitchen with a rare in-unit washer/dryer instead of a second bath. There are also inlaid parquet floors and built-ins. The unit is on the first floor of an elevator building, with a maintenance of $798 a month.

Jackson Heights Queens Apartments for Sale 34-37 80th Street

34-37 80th Street #1
Price: $699,000
Broker: Douglas Elliman (Jon Fisher)
See it here ->

This updated two-bedroom, one bath in the 1916 Colonial Apartments has a courtyard rather than a garden, and is consequently more affordable. It has original archways and inlaid floors as well as an updated kitchen with an in-unit washer/dryer. The maintenance on the fourth-floor walkup is $777.

Jackson Heights Queens Apartments for Sale 84-39 82nd Street

34-39 82nd Street #42
Price: $449,000
Broker: Brown Harris Stevens (Helen Van Rhyn)
See it here ->

Related Stories

Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Brooklyn in Your Inbox

* indicates required
 
Subscribe

What's Your Take? Leave a Comment