The Orchard Begins Leasing: Long Island City’s Tallest Tower Raises the Bar on Amenity Living
The Orchard is officially commencing leasing in Long Island City, rising 823 feet over a full city block at the junction of Orchard Street and Jackson Avenue. Developed by BLDG Management, the 70-story tower delivers 824 residences—576 market-rate homes and 248 affordable homes—and positions itself as a new benchmark for luxury rental living in one of Queens’ most dynamic neighborhoods. Move-ins are expected to begin in February 2026, with starting prices ranging from the mid-$3,000s to $10,000+.
Designed by Perkins Eastman, the building’s façade pairs brick, glass, and metal elements with elegant vertical articulation that nods to Long Island City’s industrial heritage while presenting a distinctly modern skyline presence. The site’s backstory is woven into the project’s identity: it was once home to the American Steel Wool Building and later a film distribution hub where movie canisters were shipped out and Woody Allen’s editors worked. When illuminated, the tower’s crown is intended to read as a striking beacon on New York’s skyline.
Inside, McCartan-designed interiors lean into subtle industrial modernism, beginning with an elevated entryway and covered porte-cochère that lead into a dramatic double-height lobby. Two tailored orchard murals with ornate embellishments set the tone, while tall columns, natural materials, and art-inspired details create an arrival moment that feels more destination than rental. Residences span studios to three bedrooms, with select private balconies or terraces and four collections—The Residences, The Terrace Collection, The Premier and Penthouse Collection, and The Sky Collection—built around open layouts, high ceilings, and oversized windows. Kitchens feature solid-surface countertops and matching backsplashes, stainless steel appliances including a Samsung gas range, and two-tone custom cabinetry, while baths include refined tilework, illuminated vanity mirrors, and integrated floating sinks.
Amenities are the headline: more than 100,000 square feet across multiple floors, anchored by New York’s only 60,000-square-foot “Backyard” on the third floor. The landscaped retreat includes an apple orchard with shaded paths, a resort-style pool with cabanas, three pickleball courts, a running track, an outdoor media screen, lawns and lounge areas, a yoga deck, life-size chess, grills, a large fire pit, a children’s playground, and a fenced dog park. The third-floor Fieldhouse adds a Technogym-equipped fitness center, boxing studio, Pilates and stretch spaces, a full-size indoor basketball court with screen and projector, and an aquatic center with an indoor lap pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna; the fourth-floor Commons layers in coworking, conference rooms, a podcast studio, theaters, a multi-sport simulator, arcade and game rooms, coffee bars, and event space.
At the very top, the 70th-floor Sky Lounge is positioned as the crown jewel—a full-floor retreat offering penthouse-level views with a bar, full-service kitchen, and seating centered around a bespoke fireplace. The building also includes a 24-hour attended lobby, on-site services powered by LIVunLtd, a covered porte-cochère, a two-story garage with 207 parking spaces for rent, package and refrigerated storage, resident storage, bicycle storage, a dog wash, and 14,550 square feet of retail along Jackson Avenue slated to open in late 2026. An on-site leasing office and eight model residences are now open for tours.
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