Text size:

City Living: Sunnyside

By Jonathan Scheff | Special to amNewYork

While the seed of gentrification has sprouted throughout Queens in neighborhoods such as Long Island City and Astoria -- Sunnyside remains relatively unsown. "The area hasn't changed much in over 70 years," said Gerald Lederman, who was born in Sunnyside in 1934 and has worked there ever since.

Sunnyside has strong Irish roots, apparent in the large number of pubs. New immigrants still use the area as a landing pad in the new world, but the Irish are certainly not alone. One of the most integrated and diverse neighborhoods in the city, Sunnyside is strongly community-based. Other than Duane Reade, Rite Aid, and several fast-food restaurants on Queens Boulevard, businesses remain independent and locally-run.

Sunnyside is best known for Sunnyside Gardens, a 77-acre community begun in 1924 by developer Alexander Bing. It was built on land left over from the construction of the Long Island Rail Road's Sunnyside train yards. Architects Clarence Stein and Henry Wright designed the one-, two-, and three-family houses for the working people. The common courtyards, private park, and tree-lined streets all reflect the founding ideals of "health, open space, greenery, and idyllic community living for all."

TO FIND IT:

Sunnyside lies between the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway/Long Island Expressway and the railroad tracks. The Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce defines the neighborhood as the area between 37th and 52nd streets, although many Woodside businesses are located in the upper 40s.

TO RENT AND BUY:

Developments in Sunnyside, outside of Sunnyside Gardens, include a building under construction on Queens Boulevard and 41st Street, near the No. 7 train. It will have 31 apartments and 29 parking spaces. There are also plans to develop apartments from an unused synagogue, which runs from 42nd Street to 43rd Street along 47th Avenue. There are not many condos in the area. Housing is a mixture of 1930s walk-up apartment buildings and two- to three-family houses, plus a number of post World War II elevator buildings.

--One-bedroom apartments range among $215,000 (condo), $165,000 (co-op), and $1,150 per month for a rental.
--Two-bedrooms range among $315,000 (condo), $265,000 (co-op), and $1,550 per month for a rental.
--The asking prices for two-family houses are close to $1 million. Single-family houses range upward of $650,000, depending on condition, location and size.

Recent sales:
A one-bedroom co-op on 48th Avenue and 42nd Street for $150,000
A two-bedroom co-op on 40th Street and 47th Avenue for $264,000
A one-bedroom co-op on 39th Street and 50th Avenue for $148,000

Source: Gerald Lederman, property manager of Triad Management LLC, and Scott Cooper, real estate broker and attorney at Cooper Real Estate.

Sunnyside Gardens

Rents run from $1,300 per month (one-bedroom apartment), to $2,150 (three-bedroom), and $2,500 or more for a one-family duplex. To buy a brick, contemporary house, expect to pay $550,000 (single-family), $800,000 (two-family), or $950,000 (three-family). A one-bedroom apartment will cost between $190,000 (co-op) and $250,000 (condo); or $250,000 to $350,000 for a two-bedroom.

Recent sales:
Brick one-family on 45th Street for $560,000
Brick two-family on Skillman Avenue for $810,000