The Rise of Boutique Living: What Sets Orion Astoria Apart in Queens’ Real Estate Market

photo credit Oleg Davidoff Photographer Co. 

Astoria, Queens, has long been celebrated for its vibrant community, diverse culture, and rich history, but it's now making waves in the luxury real estate market with the introduction of boutique residential buildings like Orion Astoria. As the demand for unique, high-end living spaces continues to grow, Orion Astoria emerges as a prime example of how modern design and intimate, community-focused living can come together in one of New York City's most desirable neighborhoods.

photo credit Oleg Davidoff Photographer Co. 

Orion Astoria, a newly constructed condominium on a leafy residential street, redefines boutique living with its meticulously designed one- and two-bedroom residences. Developed by local visionaries Konstandinos "Gus" Vorillas, Thomas Ballis, and Chris Giannikouros, this seven-unit building offers residents the best of both worlds: the upscale modernity of a luxury development and the privacy and charm of a smaller, more intimate residence. With features like private outdoor spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and state-of-the-art amenities, Orion Astoria sets a new standard for luxury living in Queens.

photo credit Oleg Davidoff Photographer Co. 

What truly sets Orion Astoria apart in the bustling Queens real estate market is its thoughtful approach to design and community integration. The building’s contemporary facade, designed by Harriet Nikakis of HCN Architects, combines elegance with durability, making a bold architectural statement while seamlessly blending into the surrounding streetscape. Inside, residents enjoy the latest in smart home technology, luxurious finishes, and an abundance of natural light, all while being steps away from the eclectic shops, parks, and acclaimed restaurants that make Astoria such a sought-after neighborhood.

photo credit Oleg Davidoff Photographer Co. 

As the trend toward boutique living gains momentum, Orion Astoria stands out not just for its design but for its commitment to fostering a sense of community among its residents. By offering the design sensibility of a larger building while maintaining the privacy and personal touch of a boutique residence, Orion Astoria is a testament to the evolving landscape of luxury real estate in Queens. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking for a new home with a sense of community and modern amenities, Orion Astoria is setting the bar for what boutique living can be.

The Patrick Smith Team from Corcoran is exclusively handling sales.

photo credit Oleg Davidoff Photographer Co. 

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The Greenwich by Rafael Viñoly: A Sky-High Masterpiece in Downtown Manhattan

The Greenwich by Rafael Viñoly stands as a testament to the late architect's visionary design and impeccable attention to detail. As one of the final projects crafted by the world-renowned architect in New York City, this 88-story luxury residential tower redefines the skyline of Downtown Manhattan. With 272 meticulously designed residences and over 27,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities, The Greenwich is poised to become one of the most sought-after addresses in the city.

Situated at the heart of Downtown, The Greenwich offers unparalleled views of the Hudson River, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center, and the iconic New York City skyline. The building's design features an exposed concrete column running the full height of the structure, coupled with a unique glass facade with rounded corners, offering expansive panoramic views from every residence. Inside, MAWD, the internationally acclaimed interior design firm, has curated three distinct color palettes—Terra, Aqua, and Stratus—inspired by the urban landscape, the Hudson River, and the clouds, respectively.

Residents at The Greenwich will enjoy a range of amenities spread across four floors, three of which are situated at the tower's crown, perched over 800 feet in the sky. These include a 50-foot saltwater lap pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center by Technogym, a tranquil spa with sauna and steam rooms, a screening room, and a private dining room. The building's lifestyle amenities cater to every need, from an expansive resident lounge to a multi-sport simulator and game room, ensuring that residents have everything they need for both relaxation and entertainment.

Residences range from studios to three-bedroom units, with additional suites of loft and penthouse residences offering breathtaking views and high-end finishes. Each home is designed with custom kitchens and bathrooms featuring bespoke fittings, marble surfaces, and high-end appliances. The attention to detail and the seamless integration of design and functionality make The Greenwich a standout in luxury living.

The development partners, Fortress Investment Group, Bizzi & Partners, and Bilgili Holding, collaborated with Rafael Viñoly to bring this architectural masterpiece to life. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is exclusively handling sales, with prices starting at $995,000 for studios. The building is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy later this year, offering a rare opportunity to live in a new Downtown icon.

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Transform Your Home with 200+ Plants: A Tour with the Plant Queen in Brooklyn

Step into the vibrant world of Christopher, the Plant Queen, as he takes us on a tour of his lush, plant-filled one-bedroom apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. This video reveals how Christopher has masterfully incorporated over 200 plants into his living space, creating a green sanctuary that is both beautiful and therapeutic.

Key Points Summary

• A Green Sanctuary in Brooklyn: Christopher, the Plant Queen, welcomes us into his colorful and vibrant home filled with over 200 plants. His space is not just a home but a living, breathing garden that offers a sensory experience from the moment you step inside.

• The Journey to Green Living: Christopher began his journey to green up his space in 2020, starting as a personal passion that grew into an educational endeavor. His home now serves as a testament to his dedication and love for plants.

• Daily Plant Care Routine: Taking care of such a large plant family requires routine and dedication. Christopher integrates plant care into his daily life, pruning and tending to his plants while enjoying his morning coffee.

• Creating a Microclimate: Despite living in a city apartment, Christopher has created microclimates for his diverse plant collection. He emphasizes that with dedication, anyone can cultivate a thriving indoor garden regardless of their living situation.

• Personal and Emotional Connection: The tour also highlights Christopher's personal spaces, including a shrine dedicated to his late mother. This area, filled with plants, serves as a reminder of his family's support and love.

• Designing with Plants: With the help of his friend and interior designer Calvin Resnik, Christopher has crafted a space that reflects his personality—vibrant, playful, and lush. The collaboration has resulted in a home that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply personal.

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Dive Into Luxury: The Most Stunning Residential Pools in New York City

As the city starts to shimmer under the summer sun and New Yorkers begin to seek solace from the heat, the allure of refreshing, beautifully designed residential pools in the city becomes irresistible. Be it a tranquil oasis nested in a coveted development, a rooftop retreat offering exceptional city views, or an architectural masterpiece, these watery havens are transforming urban living, bringing a touch of Hamptons-style luxury right to your doorstep. In this piece, we'll explore the crème de la crème of these serene sanctuaries, the best residential pools in New York City that epitomize both style and substance, offering residents an unmatched experience and a well-deserved respite from the sizzling city heat.

Astoria West’s Rooftop Pool Club

Situated along the New York City waterfront, Astoria’s newest rental community, Astoria West, is helping residents beat the heat with its expansive rooftop pool. Designed by acclaimed architecture firm Fogarty Fingers, and in addition to offering insane views of Manhattan, the pool area features cabanas, a grill area and a plethora of lounge chairs for an unbeatable experience.

The Suffolk

The Suffolk, located at 55 Suffolk in the Lower East Side, is the Gotham Organization’s newest luxury rental development. The 30-story tower includes 378 residences with 330,000 square feet of mixed-use space and opened this spring. Among the robust amenity package is a beautiful rooftop pool with sweeping views of New York City and beyond. While soaking up the sun at the rooftop pool, residents will also enjoy a sundeck, an outdoor terrace with lounge seating, fire pits and barbecues. There are also showers on the sundeck for residents to wash off before heading back into their apartments. 

Ruby

Ruby, a luxury residential development by MAG Partners, offers 480 studio to three-bedroom residences amongst two towers - 30 percent of which are reserved for affordable housing - in addition to 8,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Designed by globally renowned architecture firm COOKFOX Architects, the 22-story and 23-story towers’ architectural expression is inspired by the historic fabric of the turn-of-the-century Garment District neighboring buildings, incorporating biophilic elements throughout its amenities. Residents will enjoy a rooftop pool, roof lounge and grilling terrace, as well as a sleek club lounge with dining and entertainment areas.

Olympia DUMBO

One of Brooklyn’s most premium residential buildings located in the heart of DUMBO, Olympia boasts the highest square footage of indoor amenities per residence of any new condo development in the borough. Developed by Fortis and designed by Hill West, the building’s bridge level terrace features a 58’ outdoor pool and hot tub with iconic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a summer sunset, and the adjacent outdoor lounge and barbecue area, tennis court, juice bar and shipwreck-themed playground and waterpark are ideal for entertaining.

Photo credit: credit March Made

The Brooklyn Tower

Developed by JDS and designed by Krista Ninivaggi of Woods Bagot with architecture by SHoP Architects, The Brooklyn Tower’s outdoor pools surrounding the historic Dime Savings Bank’s immense Guastavino dome are a standout of the building’s immersive outdoor amenity spaces. The Dome Pool and Terrace features three outdoor pools that surround the Guastavino dome: a 75’ pool, kids pool and whirlpool. The pool deck is equipped for both relaxation and socialization with a hammock lounge, outdoor dining area, fire pit, barbeque grills and a double-height poolside lounge and cocktail bar.

Photo credit: Gabriel Saunders

The Ayre Rooftop Pool at The Copper

You’re likely familiar with SHoP Architect’s skyline-defining Midtown masterpiece, The Copper. In addition to its 100-foot-tall skybridge, the amenity-driven luxury rental building also boasts one of the most premier – and gorgeous – rooftop pools in town. Thanks to panoramic views from nearly 500 feet up, the AYRE rooftop pool will make you feel as though you’re floating above the city. Plush lounge chairs, cabanas, towel service and an obligatory DJ + cocktails round out the impeccable experience.

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