Of New York City’s five vibrant boroughs, Queens NY is the largest. Queens is also one of the most ethnically diverse city areas in the whole world and includes a variety of multicultural neighborhoods.
No single industry is responsible for the majority of Queens’ economic success, but the aviation industry is worth a special mention given that Queens NY is home to two airports that make the airline industry very influential here (and accounts for a big chunk of jobs in the borough): John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport, two of the busiest airports in the world.
Other significant industries contributing to Queens’ economy include healthcare, retail trade, film, construction, real estate, and manufacturing. Notable businesses like JetBlue, Bulova, Steinway & Sons, and Glaceau (maker of Vitamin Water) call Queens NY home.
What Our Brokers Say About Queens Office Space for Lease
The population in Queens has increased by 25% since 1980, putting it at about 2.3 million. Immigration has played a key role in both population and economic growth in the borough. “We have 190 countries and 200 languages represented here,” said Queens NY Borough President Melinda Katz. “Our diversity here is our strength . . . and 69% of our small business owners are folks who were born in other places.”
Queens NY has something for everyone. Sports fans can enjoy a Mets game or watch a US Open tennis tournament. Swimming, tanning or surfing enthusiasts can get some sun at Rockaway Beach. There is so much to do at the lovely Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, which boasts a recreation complex, a zoo, an art museum, a science museum, and a botanical garden. Popular destinations for tourists and locals alike include the Museum of the Moving Image, the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, the Unisphere and the Panorama of NYC, and P.S. 1 Contemporary Arts Center.
Queens NY Commercial Office Space | Real Estate Lease and Data Trends
Queens is 109 square miles in size and offers a wide variety of options for commercial real estate office space. Queens office space leases cost well below the Manhattan average per square foot, as well as asking rents in popular Brooklyn submarkets such as DUMBO and Williamsburg.
Queens’ most dense business district is Long Island City, which has been undergoing massive changes and commercial real estate expansion over the last few years. New Long Island City office space is primarily in Class A office towers, drawing both established brands and fast-growing startups seeking high quality property.
Transportation in Queens NY: Many Options for Office Commuters
While there are fewer MTA subway stations than Manhattan or Brooklyn, residents and commuters have lots of public transit options for traveling to, from, and within Queens.
On the subway, there are 81 stations on seven main lines. The Long Island Rail Road is the local commuter rail, operating 22 stations in Queens to whisk passengers to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island.
Popular neighborhoods in Queens
Queens, which rests on the western part of Long Island, is NYC’s easternmost borough. Brooklyn is located to the southwest, and Nassau County lies to the East. Residents of Queens usually have a fierce loyalty to their particular neighborhood, and with good reason! Let’s look at some of the most popular neighborhoods located in Queens:
Flushing: Most of Flushing is residential, yet the neighborhood’s downtown area is the fourth largest business district in all of New York City. It is a very diverse neighborhood and has NYC’s second-largest Chinatown. A New York Post writer called Flushing the “most dynamic outer-borough neighborhood” in the city.
Long Island City: Long Island City (LIC) is home to more than 6,600 businesses, including JetBlue’s corporate headquarters, the nation’s largest fortune cookie factory, and various legal, advertising, Internet, financial, and technology firms. Many of the office buildings in LIC were once factory buildings but have since been repurposed.
Bellaire: Bellaire is part of Queens Village and comprises the area around Jamaica Avenue and 211th Street. The neighborhood tends to attract recent college graduates and has excellent transportation access.
Bayside: Bayside is known as a safe neighborhood with plenty of affordable housing available. Whitestone borders it to the northwest, the East River to the north, the Long Island Sound to the northeast, Douglaston to the east, and Queens Village to the south. Bayside locals can travel using the Bayside station or the nearby Flushing—Main Street station. Locals can reach Manhattan in less than 30 minutes via the Long Island Rail Road.
Astoria: Astoria is a commercial neighborhood situated in Queens next to LIC, Sunnyside, and Woodside. It is a popular NYC neighborhood for young professionals and has a large Greek community. Some old neighborhoods in Astoria’s waterfront areas along the East River have recently been redeveloped. A recent study indicated that Astoria had among the highest rate of business sales among the neighborhoods in Queens.
Jamaica: Jamaica is an affluent, primarily commercial neighborhood that houses a number of government buildings, such as Queens Civil Court, the Queens County Family Court, and the Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building, where the Social Security Administration’s Northeastern Program Service Center operates. This neighborhood also includes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Northeast Regional Laboratory and the New York District Office.
Sunnyside: Sunnyside is a middle-class neighborhood located about 15 minutes from Grand Central Terminal via the 7 train. Sunnyside is one of Queens’ most diverse areas and contains the Sunnyside Gardens Historic District, a historic district and one of the nation’s first planned communities.
Top Commercial Real Estate Properties For Lease In Queens
Curious about leasing office space in Queens? Read about these three Squarefoot-recommended office buildings or contact one of our experienced brokers to learn about more Queens office space rental opportunities!
22-15 43rd Avenue: 22-15 43rd Avenue is a four-story office building that was built in 1918. This Class A building in Long Island City features on-site security, onsite parking, and key card access. It is 61,408 square feet of office space, and has several units—as small as 1,371 and large as 17,062 square feet in size—available for lease. Contact us to learn more about Long Island City or pricing on this location.
16717 146th Road: Built in 1965, 16717 146th Road is an industrial warehouse located in Queens between 167th and 168th Street. American Airfreight Trucking is a current tenant. Right now, two units are available to rent in the building, and the office space for both are 15,335 square feet.
21-07 Borden Avenue: 21-07 Borden Avenue is an office building located in Long Island City. It has six stories and is 75,600 square feet in size. The 7 and G trains bring passengers to the Long Island City area, and I-495 is also nearby. The area is peppered with restaurants that 21-07 Borden Avenue tenants can try out on their lunch break.
Get in touch with us now to view these buildings or to find out more about Queens office space for rent!
