In the heart of Astoria, Queens, Innovation QNS transforms an underperforming light industrial district into a mixed-use neighborhood. Envisioned as a “15-Minute City,” the development blends affordable and market-rate housing, office space, hotels, retail, entertainment, and community facilities, served by multiple subway and bus lines providing access to Midtown Manhattan and other major city hubs.
Over two acres of publicly accessible open spaces stitch together the five-block development. Plazas serve as midblock connections, providing relief from long city blocks and alleviating a prior severe parks shortage in the neighborhood. Each space functions individually with focused programming, but together, they form a complete network with engaging attractions for all ages. The amenities include contemplative gardens, athletic facilities, technology plazas, covered markets, multi-age play spaces, and a civic park that promises to become a landmark community gathering space and common ground for all of Astoria.
SWA/Balsley collaborated with ODA, Silverstein Properties, Bedrock LLC, and Kaufman Astoria Studios to guide the project through conceptual design and public approvals. This included extensive community and stakeholder engagement and technical review through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), which governs land use and zoning changes in New York City. The highly contentious public review process received widespread media attention and concluded in November 2022 with City Council approval. It is the largest rezoning in the history of Queens.
325 5th Avenue Plaza
A new residential tower has risen across the street from the Empire State Building. As a zoning incentive, a new public plaza was included to attract and accommodate the area’s tourists as well as its diverse office and residential neighborhood. The space is defined by a clean, contemporary design composition of spaces, elements, and custom furniture meant to ...
Xiamen Air Headquarters
The Xiamen Airlines campus comprises three large buildings: the corporate headquarters, a business hotel, and a commercial center. To unify the site, the landscape spans across the campus as it transitions to express the distinct character of the various programs and patronage. Lush perimeter terraces adorn the stately Foster + Partners-designed buildings, med...
Nangang Trainyard Urban Regeneration Landscape
This urban regeneration plan transforms a long-abandoned trainyard site into a highly mixed-used development with retail, commercial, preschool, and public services on the podium floors. One hotel, four office, and three residential towers sit atop of the podium; and the southeast corner is occupied by a standalone administration headquarters for the Tai...
La Plaza Cultura Village
Located within El Pueblo, the birthplace of Los Angeles, La Plaza Cultura Village is a mixed-use, transit-oriented development totaling 425,000 square feet of retail, apartments (20 percent of which are low income units), cultural facilities, and public open space. Two large, surface parking lots have been transformed into a vibrant community that builds upon ...