Why Elmhurst is full of Queens Crap

In the past, developers have had little incentive to start new condo and rental projects in Elmhurst because its large immigrant population has at least in part seen the neighborhood as a pass-through zone rather than a destination. They often establish themselves with a starter home, then upgrade to a larger residence or move out of the neighborhood within a few years, said Jeff Silverbush, owner of Century 21 Best Realty, the neighborhood's largest brokerage.

Heeding the siren call...of Elmhurst

But now, there's a new game in town!

Two new high-end condominium projects -- the C Condo at 79-35 Calamus Avenue and the Miramar Building at 81-14 Queens Boulevard -- and two large rental projects by Pi have been built or are in the process of being built.

The developments are being marketed to a demographic that's largely new to Elmhurst: professionals who work in Manhattan and who have been priced out of Queens neighborhoods closer to the city. C Condo, developed by the Criterion Group, is a four-story, 14-unit luxury building. It has sold more than half of its units since sales began in March.

Notice how the new building behind them under construction still resembles Queens Crap. Maybe it's contextual zoning! Notice also how the Criterion Group hijacked their logo from the Buildings Department. One of their crowning achievements was the acquisition and demolition of this once grand house in Brooklyn.