Quick Profile
Not that long-ago Court Square was an industrial zone near the Ed Koch / Queensboro Bridge. It was populated by manufacturing warehouses, lumber mills, dive bars and hole in the wall restaurants. Rumbling trains moving along the elevated tracks above added to the grittiness of the neighborhood. Despite its industrial past, it’s seen its share of major growth in recent years especially when it comes to residential construction.
Court Square is a triangular shaped pocket neighborhood of Long Island City and it is bounded by 21st Street to the west, Skillman Avenue to the east, 44th Drive and Thomson Avenue to the north and 49th Avenue to the south.
Its history feels a whole lot simpler compared to some of the other neighborhoods in Queens. Court Square is named after the historic Queens County Courthouse. Built in 1874 the court has tried some of the most important criminal cases in New York. Made out of brick and granite, the two-and-a-half story building was officially designated a landmark in 1976.
Modern day Court Square is a vibrant neighborhood offering a healthy mix of brownstones, contemporary commercial buildings and modern residential buildings of varying sizes. The cool factor may not be at the same levels as select Brooklyn or Manhattan neighborhoods, but Court Square is quickly catching up. Art galleries, breweries, hip eateries, bookstores, and sustainable parks are defining the nabe and drawing in new residents.
You can’t write about Court Square and Long Island City without mentioning the Amazon debacle that went down on Valentine’s Day 2019. Drama ensued when the company withdrew their Headquarters 2 offer at One Court Square. The 50-story building was close to becoming the second headquarters for the American tech giant but the deal fell through. Amazon and New York’s Governor Cuomo, just couldn’t work out the fine details of the deal that included tax breaks and incentives. The heavily politicized event eventually collapsed.
The median listed price for a 1-bedroom in Court Square is $1,188,287 with an average price per square foot is $1,544.
The neighborhood has a fantastic transportation hub. Busses, LIRR Trains, and major roadways are easily accessed from Court Square and Long Island City. 7, E, G and M trains are located at the Court Square-23 Street station. And the N, Q , W and 7 trains are located at the Queensboro Plaza station.
400 East 56th Street, also known as Plaza 400, is a simple post-war white brick building that sits amidst the tranquility of Sutton Place. While this utilitarian tower may not have the glitz that today’s new towers may radiate, there is value and grace behind these walls. A full service experience, hearty sized apartments, lo...
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