2475 38th St

Astoria Lights

This collection of four adjacent apartment buildings from 1929 comprises what is now known as Astoria Lights, a 186-unit complex developed by RockFarmer Properties between 2014 and 2020. “It’s the same concept as how most older co-ops started, with the developer buying the building and converting the rental units to co-op as people move out,” explains Madeline Newman, a broker with Corcoran who recently sold a unit in the property along with Michael Soheil. “Some units are still rentals, but it’s mostly co-ops today,” she adds. The four structures are nearly identical, clad in orange brick with Art Deco flourishes at the crown and limited additional ornamentation. While they each retain separate canopied entrances and lobbies, all four share a jam-packed amenity program, which includes numerous private outdoor spaces, a coworking lounge and a fitness center, among other perks. The units have all undergone updates geared toward the modern buyer, with top-of-the-line hardware and appliances. Notably, at four stories each, the buildings do not contain elevators. "The only challenge has been that all four are walk-ups," adds Newman. Each building at Astoria Lights features a mix of dwelling styles, including multi-level apartments, loft-style homes and townhouse residences. The interiors have all been renovated with Caesarstone countertops, LED lighting, Bosch kitchen appliances, marble bathrooms and hardware by Emtek. One-bedrooms range between $389,000 to $678,000, while two-bedrooms can be found for $599,000 to $725,000. A three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence sold for $895,000 in June 2024. Even larger combinations with four and five bedrooms are less common. The most expensive unit sold was a five-bedroom duplex, acquired in March 2022 for $1.25 million. Regarding policies, subletting is allowed after two years of residency, and a 20 percent down payment is required. During the conversion, RockFarmer devised a jam-packed amenity suite brimming with perks like a rooftop deck with cabanas and sweeping skyline views, a pergola-shaded outdoor patio and coworking offices for exclusive use by residents. In addition, the property offers a bike room, a screening room, a bocci ball court, a children’s playroom, a pet grooming area, a package room and a lounge equipped with a pool table and a foosball table. “There’s also a nice gym and a laundry room, although most renovated units have in-unit laundry,” adds Newman. Additional storage lockers are available for rent. Pets are also permitted. Steinway Street is around the corner from Astoria Lights, lined with small businesses, cafes and restaurants serving predominantly Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. The stretch also features numerous small businesses like laundromats, dry cleaners, barber shops, hookah lounges and drug stores, plus the Al-Madinah School Queens Campus, an Islamic K-8th grade school. CTown Supermarket is the largest grocery store in the immediate vicinity, located two blocks away, although two smaller specialty food stores are closer. One of the main cultural attractions in the neighborhood, the Museum of the Moving Image, is less than half a mile away, as is Hoyt Playground, the nearest recreational spot. Otherwise, residents can head to waterfront Astoria Park, a mile away, which encompasses 60 acres along the East River and is home to the city's largest public pool and other amenities. Astoria Lights is a little over half a mile from the N and W trains, which stop at 30th Avenue. Both trains can get passengers to Manhattan in roughly 15 minutes and connect to numerous other subway lines along their respective routes. The M60-SBS bus stops on nearby Astoria Boulevard on its way to JFK Airport, about 15 minutes away, while the Q101 travels in front of the building and takes passengers into Midtown Manhattan. The Q19 is another nearby bus line between the Astoria waterfront and downtown Flushing. There's a Citi Bike dock two blocks away for those who bike.