Developers File Plans for 402-Unit Housing Project Along Astoria Waterfront

A pair of Astoria developers has filed plans to build 402 housing units in the World’s Borough.

Dominick Acquista and Lorenzo Devardo, under the shell corporation Across the River Realty Development, filed plans to replace three industrial buildings at 31-29 Vernon Boulevard in Astoria, Queens, with a 20-story residential tower, according to city records. The New York Business Journal first reported the filing.

The LLC filed plans with the New York City Planning Commission on Wednesday seeking a zoning change and text amendment to allow it to build housing above the current height restrictions.

The land targeted for redevelopment sits just across Vernon Boulevard from Socrates Sculpture Park and the East River beyond that.

Acquista and Devardo could not be reached for comment.

Of the 402 units, about 100 of them would be affordable apartments under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing requirements for those making 60 percent of the area median income.

The proposed Astoria project would also feature 10,108 square feet of commercial space and 3,069 square feet of community facility space, as well as 26 parking spaces, the application shows.

Other buildings of similar size are being planned for Astoria as well. The Domain Companies secured a $175 million construction loan to build 429 units at 35-45, 35-33 and 35-42 41st Street in August.

In September, Moses Freund’s Vaja Group purchased a former Staples building at 24-41 31st Street for $26 million with plans to construct a 108-unit mixed-use development.

Mark Hallum can be reached at mhallum@commercialobserver.com.