Citylights

Center Boulevard, Hunters Point, Long Island City

Citylights was the first building of the Queens West development and the reason QueensWest.com exists: Jason was one of its first owners and built the site to answer the questions buyers were asking.

The site’s FAQ described it in 2000 as “a brand new building (finished in late 1997) and development on the East River of Long Island City, New York. It is a 42 (43 if you count the lobby […]) story cooperative building with 522 apartments from studios to 3 bedrooms with balconies.”

Why Citylights?

The name is obviously due to the view from over 90% of the apartments, which is Manhattan [sic: “Manhatten”]. At nights, as the lights go on across the city that never sleeps, well, there is one heck of a view.

Where is it?

Citylights is located in Long Island City, New York, in a area called Hunters Point and also, suprisingly, Queens West (hmmm?). It is directly across the East River from the United Nations Building, between the exit to the mid-town tunnel in Queens and the 59th street bridge.

Is it Citylights or Citilights? One or two words?

The official spelling is "Citylights" all one word. It is also known as "Citylights at Queens Landing" which is not used as much but is written on the awning.

Answers written by the site’s founder. Original spelling kept.

• Residential Real Estate; Co-op in Unusual Site Pushes Plan Toward Goal – The New York Times, 1997-11-14
• Queens West Pioneers Are Getting Company – The New York Times, 1998-03-22
• Habitats / Citylights in Long Island City, Queens; A Water Person Finds A Home by the River – The New York Times, 1999-02-07

All press clippings

On the original site: Discussion board (not republished), FAQ, picture gallery, maps, co-op board page.

See the Citylights picture gallery (40 photos, as the site last had it) · archived version (74 photos from Wayback Machine captures)

It was finished in late 1997 and is a 42 story cooperative with 522 apartments ranging from studios to two and half bedrooms although over the years people have joined apartments to create larger spaces. The building includes a parking garage, tennis courts, a gym and breathtaking views of the city.

Citylights Quick Facts

• 42-story, 495,000 Sq. Ft.
• Height: 390 ft (119 m)
• 522-unit coop residential building
• Developed by New York-based Manhattan Overlook Associates
• Completed in 1998 for about $90 million

Citylights Discussion

The Citylights discussion board is a place to discuss issues, topics, articles and other building gossip. If this is your first time posting take some time reading the past posts or do some searching for commonly asked questions. You might want to start with the Citylights FAQ to see if you question has already been answered. All posts which fall outside of the guidelines will be erased without notice but otherwise enjoy. There is also the Citylights discussion board archive from 6/28/00 through 4/25/02.

Citylights FAQ

There are more than a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Citylights covering topics how to get there to how the tax structure works. Make sure to read over them before posting a question in the discussion board.

Citylights Pictures

There are always new pictures in the Citylights picture gallery. There are a lot of pictures of Citylights sunsets as well as shots of the building from all different angles. There are also pictures in other areas for the neighborhood, Avalon Riverview and the Gantry Park.

Maps & Directions

If you are trying to figure out where the heck Citylights is, the maps page might help you out. If you need to find your way here try the directions in the Citylights FAQ.