"FSA Capital's Lumen LIC Towers Over Long Island City's Gentrification Game"
"Final stages of Lumen LIC's construction highlight the stark contrast between luxury rentals and affordable housing in Long Island City."
The final stages of construction on FSA Capital's Lumen LIC, a 66-story residential skyscraper designed by Hill West Architects, are bringing to light the stark divide between luxury rentals and affordable housing in Long Island City, as the 938-unit tower nears completion at 23-15 44th Road.
The 754-foot-tall structure spans 855,400 square feet and will include 17,400 square feet of ground-floor retail and lower-level office space. The residential units, with an average size of just 910 square feet, are planned to include 282 affordable housing units, a mere fraction of the total inventory.
Despite the promised inclusion of affordable units, the project has faced criticism for its high concentration of luxury rentals and lack of truly affordable options for the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. As one community activist stated, "It's clear that this project is catering to wealthy transplants and ignoring the needs of long-time residents."
But for FSA Capital, the controversial project is just another step in their game of gentrification in Long Island City. As one city official, who wished to remain anonymous, commented, "It's all about the money for them. This is just another way for them to cash in on the rising property values in this area."
https://newyorkyimby.com/2025/07/lumen-lics-exterior-nears-completion-at-23-15-44th-road-in-long-island-city-queens.html