BLDG Management’s The Orchard in Long Island City Hits 90% Leased as Tokimo, Intuit and Mollytea Sign Retail Deals

• The Orchard, BLDG Management’s 70-story residential tower along Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, Queens, has leased more than 90% of its 824 apartments in just nine months.
• Tokimo, Intuit and Mollytea signed leases totaling more than 7,468 square feet, with openings expected between late 2026 and 2027.
• The property includes 248 affordable apartments, 576 market-rate homes and more than 100,000 square feet of amenities.

BLDG Management’s Long Island City Tower Reaches 90% Occupancy

BLDG Management’s The Orchard is quickly filling up, with more than 750 apartments leased since the building began leasing in January. The milestone highlights continued demand for large-scale residential projects in Long Island City, where developers are pairing housing with extensive amenities and ground-floor retail. The 70-story tower sits along the north side of Jackson Avenue in Queens. BLDG Management, which has operated in Long Island City for more than 60 years, is positioning the property as a residential destination with a substantial retail component.

What Retailers Are Signing Leases at The Orchard?

Three new tenants will bring more than 7,468 square feet of retail space to the property. Each retailer is also making its Long Island City debut. Intuit signed a lease for 3,546 square feet, with its opening expected in December 2026. Japanese-inspired restaurant Tokimo leased 2,251 square feet, with a planned Spring 2027 opening. Mollytea will occupy 1,671 square feet, with its opening expected in the second quarter of 2027. The Orchard includes approximately 14,000 square feet of total retail space, giving BLDG Management room to build out a neighborhood-serving tenant mix as residential occupancy continues to rise. For landlords and investors, the leasing activity underscores the value of integrating retail into large residential developments. A growing resident base can help support food, beverage and service tenants while adding another income stream to the property.

What Does The Orchard Offer Residents?

The Orchard includes 824 apartments, with 576 market-rate residences and 248 affordable homes. The building’s Sky Collection, located on its upper floors, has also reached full leasing. Reported starting rents are $5,360 per month for one-bedroom apartments, $7,510 for two-bedroom apartments and $12,255 for three-bedroom apartments. The tower’s amenity package spans more than 100,000 square feet. Highlights include a 60,000-square-foot landscaped backyard, an orchard, swimming pool, pickleball and basketball courts, an aquatic center, fitness facilities, coworking areas and a Sky Lounge. The basketball court was developed in collaboration with Chris Brickley, adding a sports-focused feature to the property’s amenity lineup.

What Makes Long Island City Attractive to Developers?

The Orchard’s leasing performance reflects the appeal of Long Island City as a residential market with access to Manhattan and a growing neighborhood retail base. Residents have access to eight subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, Citi Bike and ferry service. For BLDG Management, the combination of residential leasing, retail commitments and extensive amenities creates multiple ways to support the project’s performance. The retail openings are scheduled over the next several years, giving the developer time to build out the tenant mix as the building continues to lease. The Orchard’s rapid residential absorption and new retail deals show how developers are using large-scale projects to capture demand from both renters and businesses.