LIC Tower The Orchard Hits 90% Lease Rate in Nine Months

The Orchard, a 70-story tower in Long Island City, has leased more than 90 percent of its 824 apartments. This milestone was reached nine months after the leasing campaign began in January. The building, which will stand 823 feet tall, is expected to become the tallest structure in Queens.

The leasing pace indicates strong demand in the area's competitive rental market. Over 750 of the total units have been signed. The inventory includes 576 market-rate apartments and 248 affordable homes. Unit sizes range from studios to three-bedroom layouts. Features include high ceilings, oversized windows, and stainless steel appliances.

BLDG Management Co., Inc., the developer, announced the progress on Thursday, Oct. 29. The firm has operated in the Long Island City community for more than 60 years. Lloyd Goldman, president of BLDG Management, stated that the property was designed to offer residents opportunities to live, work, and connect on-site.

The 70th-floor Sky Collection is now fully leased. Remaining units are available in the Terrace, Premier, and Penthouse Collections. These options feature elevated finishes and ceilings up to 11 feet. Monthly rents start at $5,360 for one-bedroom units, $7,510 for two-bedroom units, and $12,255 for three-bedroom units.

Retail space at the tower is also filling up. Three tenants have signed leases for 7,468 square feet of the 14,000 square feet available. The tenants include the K-beauty brand Tokimo, the Japanese tea brand Mollytea, and the financial technology platform Intuit.

Intuit's 3,546-square-foot location is set to open in December 2026. Tokimo's 2,251-square-foot store is on track to open no later than Spring 2027. Mollytea's 1,671-square-foot space is expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. Jodi Stasse, Executive Vice President of New Developments at The Corcoran Group, noted that renters are expanding their search beyond Manhattan for value and convenience.

The building offers over 100,000 square feet of amenities. A private backyard spans 60,000 square feet and includes an apple orchard, a resort-style pool, and three pickleball courts. Other facilities include an indoor basketball court, an aquatic center with a lap pool, and a Sky Lounge on the 70th floor with skyline views.

The Orchard is located near Gantry Plaza State Park and MoMA PS1. Transportation access includes the Queens Plaza, Queensboro Plaza, and Court Square subway stations. Bus lines Q32, Q39, Q60, Q63, Q66, Q67, Q69, Q100, Q101, and Q102 also serve the area.