A tipster informs us that the sales office for the Arris Lofts building in Long Island City is open, so let's put this new development under the microscope. Part of a crop of luxury condo buildings coming to LIC, the Arris Lofts occupy the triangular footprint of the former Eagle Electric building, converted to 237 units. Seventeen artists' studios are also available on the ground level. The building amenities are attractive?nice lobby and courtyard, ubiquitous roofdeck with stunning Manhattan skyline view, entertainment lounge, gym, lap pool featuring the most depressing waterfall we've ever seen?and the lofts look great, too. Each unit has a washer and dryer, and some of the spacious bathrooms feature "wet rooms," glass-enclosed 8 x 8 areas with a shower and freestanding tub. Sexy!
This is a fancypants building, but still, Queens? Well, the developers are confident enough in the neighborhood to start the one-bedrooms at $625,000, but wary enough to include a "things you can do in the time it takes you to get to Long Island City" element to their website (samples: "Walk from Barney's to Bloomingdales," "Order drinks at Pastis"). Will it sell? According to BrokerBlog Real Gotham, "early interest levels are rumored to be extremely strong."
· Arris Lofts [arrislofts.com]
· Arris Lofts Listings [Corcoran]