THE DURST ORGANIZATION AND PEACEFUL GARDENER LLC PARTNER FOR A GREENER ASTORIA AT HALLETTS POINT

The Durst Organization is partnering with local Astoria organization Peaceful Gardener LLC to expand sustainable initiatives at its Halletts Point development. At 10 Halletts Point, which opened in 2019, Peaceful Gardener assisted with the installation and maintenance of landscaping of the rooftop terraces. As Durst works on the next phase of the project, with two buildings currently under construction, Peaceful Gardener will be planting and maintaining trees, shrubs, flowers, and other vegetation along the Waterfront Esplanade.

“This is a significant demonstration of The Durst Organization’s commitment to the cultivation of community-based collaborations that support job creation, small business growth, inclusion, and diversity,” said Eric Mathews of Peaceful Gardener. “Meaningful community engagement enhances opportunities for diversity and environmentally responsible development.”

“Sustainability has always been at the core of our approach to development and operations. The efforts to enhance our buildings and the waterfront at Halletts Point with greenery in collaboration with Peaceful Gardener underlines our commitment to community,” said Jody Durst, President of The Durst Organization.

In May, The Durst Organization opened 3-24 27th Avenue in Astoria, a fully affordable development with 163 homes and amenities, including a fitness room, tenant lounge, and laundry room. Positioned next to NYCHA’s Astoria Houses, the new building was developed through a wider partnership between the Halletts Point development and public housing. This partnership was led by The Durst Organization. The Durst Organization made considerable investments to improve Astoria Houses, including upgrades to the heating plant and public spaces. One noteworthy change expected is the future reconnection of Astoria Boulevard, which will run through the campus, providing a more seamless integration of the building complex with the city’s layout.

That partnership has also led to the development of the first full-service supermarket on the peninsula that provides fresh and healthy food at affordable prices, bringing access to what was historically a food desert.

10 Halletts Point has 404 mixed-income units with amenities including indoor and outdoor lounges, a fitness center, and children’s playroom.

Future work will include connecting the Waterfront Esplanade that borders the Astoria Houses to new recreational space along the water, creating a seamless and walkable connection between the Astoria Houses and Whitey Ford Field.

The Peaceful Gardener LLC is a local Black-owned business that has a long-standing presence in the Astoria area, and promotes a model of environmentally responsible practices that support biodiversity; community-based partnerships and visionary ideas focused on sustainability.

The Durst Organization, founded in 1915 by Joseph and Rose Durst, is the owner, manager, and builder of 13 million square feet of premiere Manhattan office towers and over three million square feet of residential rental properties, with 3,400 rental apartments built and several thousand units in the pipeline. “The Durst Organization is recognized as a world leader in the development of high-performance and environmentally advanced commercial and residential buildings where people live, work, and thrive.” For more information, visit www.durst.org.