Queens Tallest Building Reaches 90 Percent Occupancy
The Orchard, a 70-story tower in Long Island City, has leased the vast majority of its 824 rental apartments.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Apartments
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Queens' tallest building, The Orchard, has reached 90 percent occupancy just 10 months into its marketing period. The 70-story residential tower features a mix of market-rate and affordable units alongside new retail space.
Why it matters
The milestone at this 823-foot tower reflects significant residential growth in Long Island City, where the inclusion of both affordable and market-rate housing is shaping local inventory. The project adds substantial amenity and recreation space to the borough's housing market.
The 824-unit tower consists of 576 market-rate and 248 affordable residences. Nearly 7,500 square feet of retail space has been leased to tenants including Tokimo, Mollytea, and Intuit.
The players
The Orchard
A 70-story rental tower in Long Island City that currently holds the title of the tallest building in Queens.
The details
The Orchard stands 823 feet tall, making it the tallest building in Queens. Residents have access to 100,000 square feet of amenity space, which includes a 60,000 square-foot landscaped recreation area designed to serve the large rental population.
Timeline
2025: Construction concluded.
2026: Apartment tenants began moving into the building.
Early 2027: The building is expected to officially open.
The Home Front
The Orchard's rapid lease-up signals a shift in the local housing landscape, where ultra-tall towers are increasingly common in Queens. This development follows the broader trend of high-density vertical living replacing lower-rise residential stock in the borough.
Prospective renters looking for housing in Long Island City should note the high occupancy rate at this development as a signal of current market demand. Those interested in the building's remaining units should contact the leasing office directly to inquire about future availability.
The takeaway
The Orchard's 90 percent occupancy highlights the strong demand for both affordable and market-rate housing in Queens. Renters should prioritize tracking new high-rise developments in Long Island City if they are searching for modern amenity-rich housing options.
Further reading
For more on shifts in local inventory, see Apartments.
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