Then & Now: 8 Before-and-After Images Reveal Long Island City’s Impressive Growth

Known for its thriving arts scene, lush waterfront parks, and diverse crowds, Long Island City (LIC) has experienced significant growth in recent years. The rapid gentrification has turned the area into one of Queens’ most vibrant neighborhoods, with new residential towers, office skyscrapers, and mixed-use buildings pushing Long Island City’s skyline to new heights.

With the help of Google Street View, RentCafe traveled back in time and pinpointed some of the most amazing developments that helped reshape Long Island City.

Simply click and drag the arrows over the images to view the slides.

1. Linc LIC

Built in 2014, Rockrose Development’s Linc LIC is a luxurious 709-unit, 42-story rental tower that soars above the Long Island City streetscape. Featuring a contemporary design, the building is just one stop from Manhattan and a short walk from the Court Square transit hub. Amenities include a basketball court, a roof deck, a squash court, a two-level fitness facility, as well as stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

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2. Two Gotham Center, 27 on 27th

Built on the former site of the decaying Queens Plaza Municipal Parking Garage, Two Gotham Center is a 22-story, 3.5-million-square-foot mixed-use development in the heart of Queens. The LEED Silver-certified office tower also includes ground floor retail space and 180 parking spaces. Completed in 2011, the building houses the City’s Health Department.

Just steps away from Two Gotham Center is 27 on 27th, a 27-story rental residence with extraordinary Manhattan views from every direction. The building offers 24-hour concierge service, breathtaking rooftop views, and a pet-friendly environment. Units feature floor-to-ceiling windows, furnished kitchens, large closet space, and luxurious bathrooms.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/Content/Marketing/timelapse/NYC-Long-Island-City-Queens/2-Queens-Plaza.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

3. East Coast 4, 4545 Center Blvd, Primary/Intermediate School 78, Quik Park, 4540 Center Boulevard

This one image alone shows how much LIC has changed in just seven years. The leftmost tower is East Coast 4, a 41-story, 380-unit residential building. The tower fronts the East River along the Anabel Basin. In front of it, the smaller building on the left, is PS78, the Robert F. Wagner Jr. School and early childhood center.

On the right, the smaller building is the Quik Park parking garage. The building offers 1,000 parking spaces 24 hours a day. Behind it is 4545 Center Boulevard on the LIC waterfront. The residential tower is one of the most luxurious in LIC, with over 50,000 square feet of amenities, large units, breathtaking views, and a great community vibe.

In the distance is 4540 Center Boulevard, a 345-unit rental building designed by award-winning architecture firm Arquitectonica.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/Content/Marketing/timelapse/NYC-Long-Island-City-Queens/3-Center-Boulevard.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

4. 4610 Center Boulevard

Known for its modern design that curves around LIC’s famous PepsiCo sign, this 26-story building with 585 units features a 24-hour concierge and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/Content/Marketing/timelapse/NYC-Long-Island-City-Queens/4-4610-Center-Blvd.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

5. The Pearson Court Square

Completed in 2014, The Person Court Square is a 15-story residential building with 197 market-rate apartments in more than 171,000 square feet. The LEED Silver-certified building features a rooftop entertainment lounge, a sky deck with great views, a garden terrace, a sundeck on the 10th floor, and more.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/Content/Marketing/timelapse/NYC-Long-Island-City-Queens/5-The-Pearson-Court-Square.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

6. Q41

This 17-story, 117-unit building was completed earlier this year. All but eight units are reportedly priced as middle-income, “affordable” apartments, with studios starting at $1,103 and two-bedroom units going for up to $2,186.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/Content/Marketing/timelapse/NYC-Long-Island-City-Queens/6-Q41.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

7. Hilton Garden Inn

A 17-story, 183-key hotel — The Hilton Garden Inn — is Long Island City’s 25th hotel and opened for business in April 2015. Believe it or not, just seven years ago there was only one hotel in LIC. Prompted by a growing demand for hospitality space, construction activity has been picking up in the area in recent years. Currently, there are more than 3,000 hotel rooms in the up-and-coming LIC neighborhood, with many more in the pipeline.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/Content/Marketing/timelapse/NYC-Long-Island-City-Queens/7-Hilton-Garden-Inn.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

8. Holiday Inn Long Island, Nesva Hotel, Gotham Center

On the left of this image is the Long Island City Holiday Inn, opened in 2009. The 13-story hotel is just a short drive away from LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports, making it the perfect residence for New York City tourists, corporate travelers or families looking for lodging. In addition to its convenient location at 39-05 29th Street, the 136-key hotel offers a fitness center, restaurant and bar, and comfortable, spacious rooms.

On the right is the Nesva Hotel, a boutique hotel known for its cool and youthful spirit. It features a tranquil lobby garden and custom artwork by local artists. The former Silvercup bakery, now Silvercup Studios, the production company behind iconic TV shows such as HBO’s Sex and the City and The Sopranos, is only a half mile from the Nesva Hotel. The tall building in the background is another view of the Gotham Center, visualized in slide #2.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/Content/Marketing/timelapse/NYC-Long-Island-City-Queens/8-Holiday-Inn.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

What are your favorite new developments in New York City? Let us know in the comments section below.