The development, located in one of New York City’s most densely populated and transit-connected neighborhoods, will include offices, retail, dining and an amphitheater.

Details of the development include 132,000 square feet of curated retail and restaurant spaces, 123,000 square feet of office space, and an 18-story residential tower with 156 residential units, including multiple amenities and commercial and community space.  

The brand new 63,000-square-foot YMCA, on the other hand, will offer a wide range of health, fitness and community programming that will serve as a year-round resource for residents of all ages.

Rendering of Flushing Commons Phase II.Courtesy F&T Group

According to the developer, Flushing Commons aims to combine community, recreation and walkability, addressing the community’s critical need for expansive new open space. As the city’s fourth-largest business district, Downtown Flushing continues to experience strong demand for mixed development.

Upon completion, Flushing Commons will emerge as a new central business and civic district for the neighborhood, serving residents, workers and visitors.

Maxim Capital Group provided construction financing, helping to advance this development toward completion. 

Rendering of the amphitheater at the center of Flushing Commons.Courtesy F&T Group

“Flushing has always been a neighborhood with tremendous energy, opportunity and potential, and we are proud to play a role in its continued evolution,” said Helen Lee, executive vice president of F&T Group. “Flushing Commons Phase II is the next chapter in that vision, and we have an opportunity to create an address of lasting significance, with new experiences, amenities and public spaces that will serve the community for generations. We look forward to bringing that vision to life and once again showing why Flushing should never be overlooked.”

F&T Group has played a significant role in the transformation of Flushing over the past three decades, helping lay the groundwork for the neighborhood’s growth. As one of the area’s earliest major developers, it has helped Flushing emerge as a major regional commercial and cultural hub, with a portfolio comprising 8 million square feet of residential, office and retail space. 

Attendees of the Sept. 16 groundbreaking ceremony.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

Anthony Shorris, president and CEO of NYCEDC, thanked their partners for making the project possible and said he looked forward to delivering the mixed-use development. He said the project will help transform the site into a vibrant neighborhood destination.

“Today’s groundbreaking of Flushing Commons Phase II brings us one step closer to delivering much needed housing and other amenities like new open space, and a new state-of-the-art facility for the YMCA that will be of great benefit to the Downtown Flushing community,” Shorris said.

Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, noted that the project coincides with the Flushing Y’s centennial celebration. Not only is it a milestone for Queens, she said, but it builds on the facility’s 100-year reputation. 

“Strong communities need vibrant spaces where people can come together and feel a true sense of belonging,” said. “As the Flushing Y celebrates its centennial this year, we’re proud to build on 100 years of service with this transformative new facility designed to meet the evolving needs of our community and create even more opportunities for New Yorkers to thrive.”

Council Member Sandra Ung said she was especially excited about the project after joining Greenberger and Lee last year to announce $1 million in funding she secured for the new Flushing YMCA.

“Flushing Commons Phase II is going to bring so much to our community, including housing, new stores and restaurants, office space, and 1.3 acres of publicly accessible open space,” Ung said. “Today, we are one step closer to seeing that investment put to good use.”

She also thanked F&T Group and the NYCEDC for their commitment and determination, emphasizing that projects of this scale take vision, patience and an enormous amount of hard work.

Assembly Member Ron Kim, Council Member Sandra Ung and Jeanny Pak, chief financial officer of NYCEDC.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

Assembly Member Ron Kim said he was proud to join fellow elected officials in support of the project and looks forward to its ultimate completion.

“After years of discussion and planning, we are now one step closer to fully realizing our community’s dream for Flushing Commons,” Kim said. “Today’s Phase II groundbreaking celebration represents the culmination of all the hard work, tireless efforts and contributions made by countless people.”

“Nearly a decade after Flushing Commons first changed the landscape of this community, I’m thrilled to help break ground on the revolutionary second phase of this project and deliver, among other amenities, a state-of-the-art new Flushing YMCA,” added Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Generations of Flushing families will benefit from this project in so many ways, from hundreds of new homes to public programming at the YMCA, and I’m already looking forward to the ribbon cutting.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., left, and Kim.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

Flushing Commons Phase I was completed in 2017 and features 148 residential condominiums, 90 office condominiums, approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space and 982 parking spaces. Phase III of Flushing Commons, slated to begin pre-development in 2027, will include close to another 600,000 square feet of residential and retail space.

Flushing Commons construction team.Courtesy F&T Group