Kew Gardens, NY

Kew Gardens, New York is a borough in Queens County, New York, United States. The population was 33,911 at the 2010 census. Kew Gardens is part of the New York metropolitan area.

The area that would become Kew Gardens was first settled by the Dutch in 1639 as a small farming community known as "Kuykendall". The name "Kew" likely comes from an old English word meaning "a place of beauty or pleasure." In 1814, Colonel John Jacob Astor purchased of land in what would become Kew Gardens and built a grand estate which he called "The Waldorf- Astoria". The Astors were one of the wealthiest families in America and their estate became a popular tourist destination. In 1897, following the death of Colonel Astor's son John Jacob Jr., the estate was sold to Frederick Law Olmsted and his partner Calvert Vaux for $2 million. They renamed it "The Garden City", and began planning its layout based on their theories about urban planning which they had developed while working on Central Park in Manhattan.

In 1916, real estate developer William Zeckendorf bought The Garden City for $8 million and began developing it into an upscale residential neighborhood which he called "Lake Forest". Today, much of Lake Forest remains undeveloped land north of Kissena Boulevard between Northern Boulevard and Hillside Avenue. Zeckendorf also developed nearby neighborhoods such as Flushing Meadows- Corona Park and Forest Hills.

In 1922, real estate developer Jens Jensen bought Lake Forest from Zeckendorf for $27 million and began developing it into what is now known as Kew Gardens Hills. Jensen also developed nearby neighborhoods such as Woodhaven Hills and Richmond Hill. In 1957, Jensen sold Kew Gardens Hills to developers Harry Helmsley and Sol Linowitz who completed construction on what is now known as The Helmsley Building (now Trump Tower). Helmsley later sold his share to Linowitz who then sold it to Donald Trump in 1985 who converted it into Trump Tower (now home to Trump Organization headquarters).

Today, much of Kew Gardens remains undeveloped land north of Kissena Boulevard between Northern Boulevard and Hillside Avenue with some development taking place along Northern Boulevard near Kissena Creek including two large apartment complexes - Arbor Court at Northern Blvd./Hillside Ave., comprising 1,200 units;[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] totaling over 2 million square feet,[6][7][8][9][10];[11][12][13], located adjacent to each other across Kissena Creek;[14], both managed by Brookfield Property Partners;[15]; additionally two luxury condominium towers - One57 at 590-594 Northern Blvd.;[16], comprising 648 units,[17]; [18] totaling over 1 million square feet,[19]; [20], located next door to each other across from One57's main entrance on 590-594 Northern Blvd.;[21]; both managed by Related Companies;[22]; together these three buildings make up nearly one third (32%)of all units currently under construction or planned for development within a one mile radius around 590-594 Northern Blvd.[23]. There are also several new townhouses being built along Linden Place just east of Kissena Boulevard near Union Turnpike/Northern Blvd.; these townhouses are being marketed towards young professionals.[24].