RockFarmer Properties is pleased to announce that the sale of Penthouse D at The Rowan, Astoria’s most luxurious new ground-up condominium, has set a new record for the highest price for a condo sale in the neighborhood.
The two-bedroom, two-bath penthouse, which sold for $1.65M, or $1,437 per square foot, features floor-to-ceiling glass window walls, a 770-square-foot terrace and sweeping views of New York City. The sale surpasses the neighborhood’s previous record sale at Astoria’s East River Tower, where a penthouse sold in 2018 for $1.6M, or $1,323 per square foot.
“This purchase signifies a strong confidence in the Astoria market as a highly valued neighborhood that until now, simply hasn’t seen the new, high-end condominiums common in Long Island City, North Brooklyn and across Manhattan,” said Stephen Kliegerman, President of Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing. “It goes to show that when you understand a neighborhood intimately—as RockFarmer does—you can create a luxury product that exceeds the market while still providing incredible value relative to other areas across the city.”
Three additional 3BR/2.5BA soon-to-be-released penthouse units remain available for sale at The Rowan starting at $2,175,000. Each Penthouse at The Rowan features floor-to-ceiling windows, large outdoor terraces, custom 7-inch white oak flooring and a full suite of Miele appliances, including a 30-inch refrigerator, a 24-inch wine cooler and a 24-inch speed oven. The Rowan is also seeing strong demand for its larger 3BR units (on all floors) as buyers continue to look for high-quality new construction condos that offer value relative to other markets around the city.
“Buyers are looking for more space—especially outdoor space—at an incredible value without sacrificing on location. We believe the penthouses at The Rowan achieve just that,” said George Michelis, Managing Principal of RockFarmer Properties. “The neighborhood you choose to live in is now more important than ever; Astoria remains one of the most vibrant places to live in New York City. Everything you need is right here at your doorstep, while the commute to Midtown is still just 15 minutes.”
The DXA Studio-designed condo, where 50% of units feature outdoor space, also achieved another important milestone earlier this summer—the NYS Attorney General’s Office declared The Rowan’s offering plan effective—providing reassurance to buyers that the new development will become a viable condominium with strong individual ownership. Closings are expected to begin in the Spring of 2021.
When complete in 2021, the six-story luxury condominium will comprise 46 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences ranging in size from approximately 425 to 1,857 square feet. Asking prices for the carefully crafted studio to three-bedroom homes now available range from $555,000 to $2,549,000, offering an attractive option for buyers looking to move to one of New York City’s most established and diverse neighborhoods.
Designed by New York City-based DXA Studio, The Rowan features a terraced massing of light gray brick masonry resting above a 210-foot-long glass retail base. Located one block from the N train at 21-21 31st Street in the burgeoning Ditmars section of Astoria, Queens, the landscape-focused condominium will boast a dramatic wood and glass enclosed lobby that opens onto a lush private sensory garden—a welcoming respite from residents’ daily lives. Utilizing the site’s incredible light and air, The Rowan has been designed as a modern, amenity-rich condominium development where natural light, organic materials and native plantings intertwine to create a peaceful urban oasis.
The Rowan will feature a number of thoughtfully designed amenities and features including a fitness center; indoor/outdoor resident’s lounge with kitchenette, dining area and library with direct access to the building’s sensory garden; engaging children’s playroom; soundproof music practice room; pet spa; package room, and bicycle and storage spaces. Residents will be able to enjoy an expansive landscaped roof deck offering sweeping views of Manhattan that features an outdoor kitchen with a BBQ station, relaxation and dining areas, and private cabanas. The Rowan will also feature a part-time attended lobby, virtual concierge and dedicated building staff.
The Rowan will feature a fully automated parking garage by U-tron, one of the first systems in New York City and the only one in Queens. The unique parking system will comprise 96 parking spaces in a three-story structure underneath the building. Residents will be able to call for their cars on demand using a phone app; the car is then delivered within minutes. The automated system utilizes AI to learn behaviors of resident’s driving habits—such as what time they typically leave each morning—to deliver vehicles faster over time.
The Rowan is located just 15 minutes from Manhattan in the heart of Astoria’s Ditmars neighborhood on 31st Street between Ditmars Boulevard and 21st Avenue near many of the area’s best schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and nightlife. The Rowan also enjoys close proximity to Astoria Park and offers convenient transportation options including the N and W subway lines and close access to the East River Ferry, BQE, Grand Central Parkway, RFK Bridge and LaGuardia Airport.
