A developer has filed plans to construct an 8-story mixed-use building on a prominent site in Sunnyside that once housed a number of restaurants and stores before they were destroyed in a massive blaze (Photo by Nina Sityar, taken in January 2021)
Jan. 4, 2023 By Michael Dorgan
A developer has filed plans to construct an 8-story mixed-use building on a prominent site in Sunnyside that once housed a number of restaurants and stores before they were destroyed in a massive fire.
The Ampiera Group, a Woodside-based company, filed plans with the Dept. of Buildings in April for the 83-foot tall structure to go up on the corner of 45th Street and Queens Boulevard.
The development will consist of 63 apartments with around 8,500 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.
The site, located between 45th and 46th Streets, had contained six well-known businesses – including the long-time pub Sidetracks — before the inferno ripped through the buildings on Dec. 13, 2018.
The blaze was so destructive that the city ordered the remnants of the buildings to be demolished. The structures were torn down and work on leveling the .3-acre parcel was completed in August 2019.
The Ampiera Group, doing business as 45-02 Sunnyside LLC, then purchased the parcel for $11 million in April from Rasell Realty Corp., a family-run firm based in Jamaica, Queens.
The new plans call for five retail spaces and 12 apartments (Photo: Queens Post)
The new development will also include 25 parking spaces in the cellar.
The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025, according to a poster erected on a fence at the site.
Architect PC, a Flushing-based firm, is listed as the architect for the project.
Some of Ampiera Group’s other developments in western Queens include an eight-story mixed-use building at 21-42nd Rd., near the Queensboro Plaza subway in Long Island City, and a 16-story hotel at 38-70 12th St., near the Queensbridge Houses.
The firm is also constructing a seven-story residential building at 40-22 61st St. in Woodside.
A poster on a fence at the site contains a rendering of the development (Photo by Queens Post)
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24 Comments
this was the block owners grand vision when the place went up in smoke…. snazzy glass apts with street retail, more income
All these ugly glass buildings cus local law 11 got tougher. I guess it has to be that way.
What was the cause of the fire?
Shhhh!
I suspect arson, of course. The real estate was too valuable to have low rise buildings on it. But, who know.
Does not fit the neighborhood. And it’s ugly.
No it’s perfect al. I love to live in there
sad no more sidetracks, ny style eats, zen yai, but lucky ups and better hardware reopened. we are also lucky lot redeveloped, 8 stories not ten, and exterior looks nice. hope for apparel, shoes, non-chain food retail. glad for at least some basement parking. taking a positive view!
Good there is enough just so-so restaurants in sunnyside. Since dazies closed there’s not one really good restaurants left here I guess I’ll go to eat in Astoria from now on
Pretty blah and uninspiring architecturally but it’s good that something residential is being built on that plot considering it’s across the street from the subway station.
3 acres …???? its about a quarter of a acre
The article states .3 not 3
.o3 acre
There goes more “AFFORDABLE “ apartments in Sunnyside!
So cool can’t wait. I love to live there its perfect
Woodside made number 5 and Sunnyside made number 6 on NYCs hottest neighborhoods in 2023. Good luck to us all! We will need the space to house more young progressives. That is how Astoria changed drastically.
https://streeteasy.com/blog/nyc-neighborhoods-to-watch-in-2023/
That fire sure had a whiff of convenience about it.
What kind of businesses? Medical offices or restaurants?
Losing sidetracks was losing part of the neighborhood
Just sad and can’t be replaced
Yes! Every comment will be positive!
In the name of affordable housing, I predict the DSA city council caucus will request 16-24 stories at minimum as well as a $1 million slush fund.
Julie Won will act like she wants more affordable housing. It’s all a show. Same old show.
We want truly Affordable housing!! Hoping Won gets involved. I will be contacting her office. We have an affordable housing crisis. Most people that left nyc were living in market rate and luxury apartments. Where will we house the asylum seekers?
Too short. We need more housing.