Long Island City is a neighborhood located in the western-most section of the borough of Queens, part of the Metropolitan area of New York City. It is also part of Queens Community Board 1 north of the Queensboro Bridge and Queens Community Board 2 south of the Bridge.
The neighborhood is surrounded by the East River on the north and west, by Hazen Street, 49th Street, and New Calvary Cemetery on the east as well as Newtown Creek on the south which separates Queens from Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
The iconic Long Island Sign at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City
The intersection of 47 Avenue and Center Boulevard in Hunters Point, a subsection of Long Island City on the south side.
Last stop at the Long Island City rail terminal of the Long Island Rail Road.
Long Island City was originally the seat of government for Newtown Township, and remains the largest neighborhood in the Queens Borough. As of the 2010 census, there were 126,257 people residing in the area. The median income for a household in the village is $50,738. The latitude of Long Island City is 40.745N. The longitude is -73.949W. It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 13 feet.
Hunter’s Point South Park, a waterfront park with spectacular views of New York City, which until recently, was an abandoned post-industrial area in Long Island City.
A bench at Hunter’s Point South Park, provides the ideal place to take in the spectacular views across the East River.
PS 78 Robert F Wagner Junior High, Long Island City.
In 1870, the area was created from the communities of Astoria, Hunters Point, Blissville, Ravenswood, Dutch Kills, Bowery Bay, Steinway, and Sunnyside, all in the western part of the Town of Newtown, westernmost township in Queens County. However, its independence was surrendered in 1898 to become part of the City of Greater New York. Today, Long Island City has become an increasingly famous place of residence for commuters working in Manhattan. It was started as a master plan in the 1980s for what is now called Queens West; the first building called Citylights was completed in 1997 along with a waterfront park shortly thereafter.
Gantry Plaza State Park, a 12-acre riverside oasis offering spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations.
A look into the past, Long Island Rail Road Hunters Point Gantry, 1945.
Gantry Plaza State Park area map.
Long Island City began to attract numerous real estate development projects in the late 1990s, including two projects by Avalon Bay Communities and a seven building development on the former site of a Pepsi Cola Bottling plant by Rockrose Development Corp. In fact, the Pepsi-Cola sign became a local landmark along the East River and was preserved and moved to another spot along the waterfront. Long Island City rises imperiously above its industrial era and is now engaged in tending to the thick tresses of Art that accompany a becoming ensemble of graceful condominiums.
The Pepsi-Cola sign which has become a landmark along the East River waterfront.
The River View Restaurant, across from Gantry Plaza State Park.
A street in Long Island City with the Queensborough Bridge in the background.
Vernon Boulevard and 9 Street, Long Island City.
Vernon Boulevard Long Island City.
Well-known residents living in Long Island City include Ethel Merman (singer), Tony Bennett (singer), and George Petry (former mayor). The land we call Long Island City has courted a string of flattering companions ever since she first became habitable thousands of years ago. Tribes from Northern Asia came across the Arctic Archipelago and wandered south until they discovered her secret troves. The Dutch arrived in the early 17th century to find Indians canoeing on the East River and living off the plentiful and wooded land.
Vernon Boulevard and 38 Avenue, Long Island City.
A commuter ferry service operated by NY Water Taxi at the East River Wharf.
The former Silvercup bakery, now home to Silvercup Studios, which produces notable works such as HBO’s The Sopranos.
The Long Island Rail Road station plays an important role in terms of transportation in the area. It pays homage with a gigantic tunnel under the water. Long Island City is served by the New York Subway 7, E, F, G, N, W, and R trains. There is also a commuter ferry service operated by NY Water Taxi at the East River Wharf. Long Island City was once home to many factories and bakeries, some of which are finding new uses. The former Silvercup bakery is now home to Silvercup Studios, which produces notable works such as HBO’s The Sopranos. It is also home of the NYC’s first urban beach, the Water Taxi Beach which is open to the public (for free) during the summer months. The beach can also be rented for private parties.
