Thursday, October 18, 2012

Construction Moving Forward

Construction of the CVS and the new condo that some are calling the "Windsor 2" is moving forward on the north side of Queens Blvd., next to the Key Food.
Here's what the construction site looked like this afternoon:



26 comments:

  1. This is very exciting. I mean, the last thing we need is another pharmacy/convenience store, but a new building will hopefully bring more life to the hole that was sitting there for about a good year. The original architecture plan of a "Windsor 2" looked really nice and would help real estate values in the surrounding neighborhood. I do feel bad for neighboring buildings on that block that previously had a view. I wonder if they figured out the issue regarding not having enough space to drill down due to the train? Then again, I think that was a rumor, never saw anything documented regarding train issues.

    Speaking of construction, anyone notice construction going on near the Biu Bello? Based on the posted board, it seems that a new 10 story building is coming. Hopefully it isnt tall enough to block my view (but I'm just being selfish) :p

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    1. Pretty sure they aren't having trouble with the trains downstairs that would have been addressed much earlier. When ever I walk by though there are Signs from the city posted about construction being ordered to stop due to violations or citations. I think that's been an issue for these guys.

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  2. Here's a photo from Cord Meyer showing what the building "might" look like...

    http://www.cordmeyer.co/properties/ForestHills389.htm

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  3. Wait. I thought they were putting a Whole Foods in that space?

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  4. They should have torn down the Key Food space, too, and reopened it with a new exterior as well.

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  5. They don't need to tear down the Key Food space, it is all modernized inside.

    If anything is needed they can do an exterior facade upgrade in the future to more align it with the new property.

    Looks like foundation work is going on, they will be building an underground garage down there.

    There are so many CVS's in the area though. Reminds me of the CVS in Merrick on Merrick road which got built which is huge.



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  6. This CVS is a good location and allows a brand new store for the community to replace the independent shops not needed on that block.

    Before you had a strip of stores which were duplications or other businesses which could find better locations.

    This CVS will also provide underground parking.

    Location by subway and multiple bus lines.

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  7. This will be CVS's 6th CVS in the area and the 1st one in this prime location.

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  8. If you're a coupon kinda person (like I am), you'll appreciate the sale offers at CVS over other competitors (i.e. Duane Reade) who barely offer anything below retail. For example, CVS frequently offers White Albacore Tuna for 77 cents and you can stock coupons (i.e. $5 off $15) making it quite a steal over the $2 charged at DR). Random topic I know, just saying...I love CVS where I work so having it close to home would be quite sweet.

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    1. I agree. CVS is definitely a better quality drug store, and I do like their discounts. A lot of them also offer self-checkout which I love.

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  9. #1: CVS is business model designed to profit. The items they sell are routine drugstore goods as well as products found in supermarket and the like or basic consumer goods we take for granted like consumables. Mom and pop stores get destroyed while big business emerges in larger size and scope.

    CVS has to compete with lots of other drug stores in the community and there isn't just one store here but multiple of them.

    CVS is the largest firm and this store will be very large so it will carry the fully array of products that can be offered. We can only thank goodness there is no Walmart in our area.

    CVS is good enough for this community and blends nicely into the NYC Metro area.

    CVS and Target differ on products carried and there is no Target in Forest Hills, it is located in the Rego Park Mall.

    Basically what this store does is adds a large new location with the full array in the center of Forest Hills when it previously had stores in close proximity to each other before.

    My guess is CVS was trying for this property for a long time but Cord Meyer only recently decided to turn this property over.

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  10. The CVS isn't a bad business for the location and in fact a CVS combined with brand new condos, with the Windsor II finally getting done and scaled back to 17 stories enhances this community.

    But still lots of locations in the area could use redeveloping, not just this one. But I will give credit in that it seems as though construction is starting to start back up again.

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  11. Is this the site right behind the Sterling Bank? I live right there, and I can't believe this PITA is going to have my sidewalk blocked for another 2 years. I like the idea of a CVS, though, as long as it's better-run than the others, which always let the shelves go totally empty before restocking.

    And Target isn't in the Rego Park Mall. It's in Elmhurst, in the Queens Place Mall. Just sayin'.

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  12. CVS's are all over. Don't see why a CVS is needed in close proximity to each other.

    They should just have one store on the south side by Metropolitan and one store by Queens Boulevard by mass transit. I don't even think they need all the other locations.

    There is a CVS at 67th drive and 78th Drive. Soon one on 71st Drive. Is a CVS really needed every few blocks?

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  13. Ever shop at the CVS at 67th Drive? Empty shelves, lines out the door. All the time. Been like that for YEARS. And yeah, I'd much rather have one right outside my door than a bus or subway ride away. Who wouldn't?

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    1. true dat..filthy store, always crowded and never stocked well

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  14. oops, the CVS is actually at 67th Ave.

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  15. I heard the cvs has fallen through from the guy who runs the newstand in front of it

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    1. When did you hear that? I heard last week it was a go from a worker on the site.

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  16. Permits are on the website.

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  17. KM Associates had the last permit. I can't confirm on the CVS part, but KM Associates has lots of projects that they have completed.

    http://kmaofny.com/

    Includes the same architect as Windsor I and they have done work with Cord Meyer before.

    So the Windsor II is definitely going up.

    As far as CVS as the anchor tenant also still likely but, unclear. With a highrise like that, it does seem likely that a CVS will be an anchor tenant in the retail portion.

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    1. Looked at http://kmaofny.com/ and didnt find anything regarding work in Forest Hills? Did I miss something? But I did see a sign on the construction site (closer to the keyfood entrance) that states a "17 story residential building."

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  18. This will do a lot for the lack of parking...

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  19. How much do does everyone think these apartments will go for? I'm guessing 450k for a 1 BR and maybe 2300 or so to rent.

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