New Public Park Included In Long Island City Tower: See It

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — The new 67-story apartment tower recently completed at Queens Plaza will also include a small public park, developers revealed Thursday.

Sven, a 762-foot-tall luxury rental building, stands complete at the corner of Queens Plaza and Northern Boulevard, featuring a distinctive design that curves around the landmark Chase Manhattan Bank building.

Right behind the building, facing Northern Boulevard, will be a half-acre public park with a playground, dog runs, workout equipment and swinging benches, according to The Durst Organization, which built the tower. It is expected to open in early 2023.

Designed by the landscape architecture firm Starr Whitehouse, the green space — known as Sven Park — will also feature an interactive children's area with a slide and a wooden climbing feature, ping pong tables, movable tables and chairs, as well as bike racks and shaded areas. Plantings will include tall bald cypress, flowering trees and ferns.

It will be open from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. between April 15 and Oct. 31, and from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. from Nov. 1 to April 14. The Durst Organization is funding the park's construction and upkeep.

"In a city short on green space, we are excited to unveil our plans to bring a brand-new public park to Long Island City," Durst Organization President Jody Durst said in a news release.

"Sven Park will offer a welcome respite for both residents and the surrounding community, whether they are taking their dog for a walk, bringing their kids to the playground, or just looking to get some fresh air."

Nearly 300 below-market-rate apartments at Sven remain up for grabs through a city housing lottery. In all, the building contains 958 apartments.