L
ong Island City is experiencing a building boom, with the neighborhood seeing the highest increase in housing units among all New York City neighborhoods in 2024. According to Gothamist, many more units are likely on the way. The area's proximity to Midtown and stunning waterfront views have made it a magnet for new residents.

    The Queens neighborhood took third place in StreetEasy's annual list of up-and-coming neighborhoods. Mayor Eric Adams' administration is pushing for further growth through a targeted zoning overhaul that would allow for more high-rise apartment buildings and mixed-use developments. If approved, this could result in as many as 14,000 new homes.

    The Long Island City Neighborhood plan aims to densify housing along the waterfront and build further inland to Court Square. Proposed changes include high-rises east of NYCHA's Queensbridge Houses and a rezoning of the warehouse-laden stretch of 44th Drive, which was once slated for Amazon's abandoned "HQ2." However, local residents have expressed concerns about the boom, calling for expanded services like sewer capacity and schools before further housing growth. There is also skepticism about maintaining affordability in the face of rising rents and prices: the median asking rent in Long Island City was $4,350 in March, with a median asking price of $1.07 million.