Hudson Cos. JV Advances $700M Queens Development, The Orion

• A joint venture of The Hudson Cos., Slate Property Group, and Volunteers of America has been selected to develop The Orion, a 980-unit mixed-income community in Queens.
• The estimated $650 million to $700 million project will include 658 affordable apartments, retail space, childcare facilities, and workforce development services.
• The Orion will become the first development to utilize New York City's Mixed Income Market Initiative (MIMI).

What Is Planned for The Orion

A major mixed-income housing development is moving forward in Hunter's Point South after the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) selected a joint venture of The Hudson Cos., Slate Property Group, and Volunteers of America to develop The Orion. Located at 54-42 Second Street along the East River in Queens, the project is expected to include 980 apartments spread across three residential buildings. Construction costs are estimated between $650 million and $700 million, with groundbreaking anticipated within the next 24 to 48 months.

What the Development Will Include

The Orion is designed as a mixed-income community offering both affordable and market-rate housing. Under current plans, 658 apartments will be income-restricted, while the remaining units will be rented at market rates. The project will also feature approximately 6,000 square feet of retail space and 8,900 square feet of community space, including a childcare center with an outdoor playground and a workforce development center offering vocational training. Additional resident amenities will include a swimming pool, fitness centers, bicycle storage, and other recreational facilities. Community services throughout the development will be operated by Commonpoint Queens.

What Makes This Project Different

The Orion will be the first development built under New York City's Mixed Income Market Initiative (MIMI), a program designed to encourage mixed-income housing by requiring 70% affordable housing and 30% market-rate apartments within a single developmnewent. Of the affordable residences, 150 apartments will be designated as supportive housing, providing homes for individuals experiencing homelessness while supporting the city's broader affordable housing initiatives. The project's design was also shaped through community engagement, with more than 1,300 residents participating in surveys that emphasized the need for family housing, neighborhood services, and access to grocery shopping.

What This Means for Hunter's Point South

The Orion represents another significant milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of Hunter's Point South, a 30-acre waterfront neighborhood that was originally envisioned for industrial use before being transformed into one of New York City's largest mixed-income residential districts. Once completed, The Orion will help move the neighborhood closer to its long-term goal of delivering approximately 5,000 residential units, while adding affordable housing, retail, community services, and workforce development opportunities along the Queens waterfront.