After years of planning and waiting, the second phase of Flushing Commons, a large-scale mixed-use development in downtown Flushing, officially broke ground on the 16th. The project will bring 1.3 acres of space open to the public, a brand new 63,000-square-foot YMCA, as well as residential, office, retail, and dining facilities.

Developers F&T Group, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and the YMCA of Greater New York held a groundbreaking ceremony in Flushing that morning. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, City Councilwoman Sandra Ung, and State Assemblyman Ron Kim were among those in attendance.

The second phase of the project is located in downtown Flushing, formerly a municipal parking lot. According to information released by the developer, the project includes approximately 132,000 square feet of retail and dining space, 123,000 square feet of office space, and an 18-story residential tower with 156 residential units. In addition, the project will include a new public plaza and amphitheater, adding community activity spaces to the densely populated downtown Flushing area, which has long lacked large public open spaces.

Of particular interest is the brand-new Flushing YMCA. Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the Greater New York YMCA, stated that the YMCA has been serving Flushing for nearly 100 years. She noted that the current Flushing branch is the most visited YMCA branch in the city, and the new branch will further expand its service area, serving more residents of Flushing and the surrounding communities.

According to current plans, the new YMCA will feature an 8-lane, 25-yard swimming pool. Greenberg stated that upon completion, it will be the largest pool in the New York City YMCA system. It will also include a gymnasium compliant with high school competition standards, approximately 40% larger than the existing gymnasium, and will provide community activity spaces and dedicated table tennis facilities. The new facility is targeted to open in 2029.

Huang Minyi stated that she previously served as a YMCA board member and is currently a member herself, and has personally witnessed the demand for related services from seniors, families, children, and immigrant residents. She mentioned that she had previously secured $1 million in funding from the City Council for the new YMCA. She pointed out that the project has been underway for many years, from its initial conception to its current groundbreaking, and the new YMCA will bring more services and activity space to the Flushing community.

Helen Lee, head of the Fulton Group, stated that Flushing has lacked large-scale public open spaces for many years. Upon completion of Phase Two, the new public spaces, amphitheater, YMCA, and commercial, office, and residential facilities will collectively form a new community space.

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The groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of Flushing Commons was held on the 16th, attended by several elected officials, developers, and community representatives. The second phase will include residential, commercial, and office space, as well as a new public plaza and a brand-new Flushing YMCA. (Photo by Dai Cihui)

According to information released by the development team, the second phase of the project has a total area of ​​over 600,000 square feet, including a new YMCA headquarters of 66,000 square feet, approximately 132,000 square feet of retail and dining space, 123,000 square feet of office space, and an 18-story residential tower with 156 units.

Helen Lee, Executive Vice President of F&T Group, said that Flushing’s downtown area is densely populated and commercial, and has long lacked sufficient public space. She hopes that the new plaza and outdoor theater will become a place for residents to gather and hold community events after completion.

The new YMCA headquarters is a key focus of Phase Two of the project. Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the Greater New York YMCA, stated that the Flushing YMCA is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary and is currently one of the most frequently used YMCA locations in the city. The new facility features an eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool, which will be the largest YMCA pool in the city upon completion. The new arena meets high school competition standards and is approximately 40% larger than the existing arena, and will also include space for community activities and table tennis.

City Councilwoman Sandra Ung, a former board member and current member of the Flushing YMCA, stated that she has long observed seniors, families, children, and new immigrants using the facilities. She said this project, after years of coordination and involvement from multiple city council members, has finally entered the construction phase. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards added that as Flushing continues to see increased residential and commercial development, public spaces and community services should be expanded accordingly.

State Assemblyman Ron Kim recalled that after immigrating to the United States with his family about 40 years ago, his father took him to the Flushing YMCA to learn to swim and play tennis. He said that for many immigrant families, the YMCA is not just a sports venue, but also an important space for children to integrate into the community.

Greenberg stated that the main structure and shell of the new YMCA building are expected to be completed in the spring of 2028, followed by interior work, with a target opening in 2029. The first phase of Flushing Plaza has already completed residential, commercial, and office spaces; the second phase, once construction begins, will add the large public plaza and community facilities originally planned.

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Work broke ground yesterday morning on phase two of Flushing Commons, a multi-tower mixed-use residential complex at 37-10 138th Street in Flushing, Queens. Designed by Handel Architects and developed in a public-private partnership between F&T Group and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the YMCA of Greater New York, the phase will deliver two buildings, the tallest of which will stand 18 stories, yield 156 condominium units paired with residential amenities, nearly 132,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and dining space, 123,000 square feet of office space, and a 63,000-square-foot YMCA. The project will also include a 1.3-acre public plaza with an amphitheater as part of the master plan designed by Perkins Eastman.

The above aerial rendering depicts the four towers across the three-phase development. Phase two will be comprised of Liria rising 18 stories along 37th Avenue, and The Elm, a slightly shorter building at the corner of 138th Street and 39th Avenue.

Below are images of yesterday morning’s groundbreaking ceremony, as well as the site conditions where Liria will rise.

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The following renderings offer a closer look at the new buildings surrounding the central amphitheater along 138th Street. The towers are shown clad in glass curtain walls with white metal paneling, and will feature expansive balconies lined with glass railings. Multiple stories of retail are depicted within the podiums.

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The first phase of Flushing Commons was completed in 2017 and features 148 condominium units, 90 office condominiums, approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space, and 982 parking spaces. Phase three is slated to begin pre-development in 2027, will include close to another 600,000 square feet of both residential and retail space.

The site of phase two was formerly occupied by a surface-level parking lot.

The master plan is a short walk north of the Flushing–Main Street station, served by the 7 train. Further south along Main Street is the elevated Flushing Main Street Long Island Rail Road station.

Maxim Capital Group provided construction financing for the second phase, which is expected to be completed in June 2029.

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Muji's new store in Flushing makes shopping more convenient.
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Reporter Gao Yun'er /New York Report 2026-06-15 02:00 ET

Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI recently opened its first Queens store in the Tangram shopping mall in Flushing , attracting long queues on its first day. For many customers living in Queens, Long Island, and surrounding areas, the most direct benefit of MUJI's arrival in Flushing is that they no longer need to make a special trip to Manhattan for their daily shopping .

Around 10:55 a.m. that day, the line stretched from the main entrance on College Point Boulevard all the way to the corner of 37th Avenue, and then to the vicinity of Prince Street, with an estimated number of over 100 people. Mr. Wang, a resident of Flushing, said that when he arrived around 8:30 a.m., there were already more than 20 people ahead of him. "I didn't expect people to come so early, but everyone mainly wanted to be there on the first day to see the store and also get the opening gifts." Because there were gifts on the opening day, the numbered tickets available for the first 500 customers were quickly distributed, and many people continued to queue to enter the store.

Ms. Zhang, a resident of Bayside, said she usually buys MUJI stationery, storage boxes, and simple clothing. In the past, if she wanted to go shopping, she usually had to take a bus into Manhattan. "I don't always make a special trip just for MUJI, but I'll go if I happen to be in the city. Now that it's in Flushing, it's much more convenient to shop there."

Ms. Li, who brought her 14-year-old daughter to queue, said that her daughter has always liked MUJI pens, notebooks and small storage items, and used to clamor to go to the Manhattan branch. "Now that there is one in Flushing, we don't have to go that far anymore." She said that although there were many people at the opening, it also showed that many families and young people have a demand for this kind of lifestyle brand.

According to official sources, the new store covers an area of ​​approximately 12,001 square feet and marks MUJI's first entry into the Queens market. The store sells clothing, stationery, kitchenware, organization and storage products, skincare products, travel goods, and home furnishings.

Some customers believe that MUJI products are not cheap in the US, and some stationery and daily necessities can be found in other chain stores, but its simple design and consistent quality still attract a loyal customer base. Mr. Chen, who lives in Forest Hills, said that he has bought MUJI stainless steel peelers, tableware, and stationery. "Some of the small items have been used for many years. The design is simple and quite durable."

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The Tangram project in Flushing (Buck Ennis)

The popular Japanese retailer Muji is expanding its New York presence into Queens.
The global brand, which debuted in the U.S. in 2007 with its first brick-and-mortar location in SoHo, will open its first Queens store Friday in the Tangram complex, a sprawling mixed-use development in Downtown Flushing, the company has announced.

Muji, an abbreviation of a Japanese phrase meaning "no-brand quality goods," is known for its minimalist-type cookware, clothing, home goods, stationery and, as of last year, its own line of food. It currently has nine storefronts in the city, including its sole Brooklyn location, which opened at 200 Wythe Ave. in Williamsburg in 2017. The other eight are all in Manhattan, and the company opened its first U.S. food market in its Chelsea Market location last year, offering specialty drinks and Japanese comfort fare such as onigiri, miso soup and dorayaki.
Muji will occupy roughly 12,000 square feet at its first Queens location, officially addressed at 133-36 37th Ave., making it the largest and anchor retail tenant in Tangram. Its store hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A representative for the brand declined to share the length of and asking rent for Muji's lease with the landlord, local developer F&T Group.
Tangram, the 1.2 million-square-foot complex in the bustling Queens neighborhood, includes luxury condos, office space and a Renaissance hotel in addition to the two­story, 275,000-square-foot shopping mall, which offers retail, dining and entertainment options. The project opened in phases, with the residential tower launching first in 2019, and it is now officially complete with Muji as its anchor retail tenant.
"We are very excited to have Muji join our tenant roster as the final piece of the Tangram puzzle," said Helen Lee, principal of F&T Group. "We've heard the excitement from the community, and we're proud to know we made the right choice in bringing such a globally recognized and beloved brand to Tangram."

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U.S. Rep. Grace Meng recently allocated $1.5 million in federal funds to support the YMCA as it constructs its new building in downtown Flushing.

Meng, on March 23, joined officials and members of the Flushing YMCA at the new designated location to present the funding that will subsidize the modern 62,000-square-foot facility.

The facility will be built as part of phase two of the Flushing Commons project — a mixed-use initiative — and will be located on the current parking lot site between 37th and 39th avenues and 138th Street.

It will replace the Flushing YMCA’s current 100-year-old aging facility on the corner of Northern Boulevard and Bowne Street, across from Flushing High School.

The news release noted that the new facility will contain the largest swimming pool of any YMCA branch across the five boroughs.

Construction of the new YMCA is expected to begin in June and finish in 2028.

According to a news release from Meng’s office, the new building will expand the amount of space for programs and services that the YMCA provides to local families, seniors and youth.

Meng said this project will allow even more Queens residents to take advantage of all programs and offerings at the Flushing YMCA.

“This crucial federal funding that I brought back from Washington will help make the Flushing YMCA’s new home a reality,” Meng said. “I am always proud to obtain funding that improves and benefits our borough, and I cannot wait until the project is complete.”

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She said the new and modern building will feature additional space and improved services that will help the YMCA do an even better job in serving the growing population in Flushing and the surrounding areas.

Both Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, and Heidy Lopez, executive director of the Flushing YMCA, emphasized how grateful they were of Meng’s continued support and advocacy for the nonprofit.

In 2022, for example, Meng secured $1 million in funds for the Flushing YMCA and Ridgewood YMCA to enhance its youth and community development programs.

“For 20 years, we have been working tirelessly with our community and elected partners to create a new state-of-the-art Flushing Y to better serve the Flushing community,” Greenberger said. “As we mark 100 years in Flushing, this project allows us to expand our reach and deepen our impact — building a modern, inclusive space where families, seniors, and young people can access the programs and support they need to thrive.”

Jalen Brunson with 32 Points vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The new facility will also reflect the energy and diversity of Flushing, Lopez added, allowing the nonprofit to serve more people than ever before.

“For generations, the Flushing YMCA has been a central hub for our community, and this moment represents an important step forward in our future,” Lopez added. “This new facility will strengthen our ability to bring people together, support youth development and create opportunities for connection and well-being for all.”

For more information about the Flushing YMCA, visit YMCAnyc.org.

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A Sanrio-themed pop-up store recently opened at the Tangram shopping mall in Flushing , Queens , attracting a large number of community members and fans of all ages. On the opening day, although the official opening was scheduled for 10:00 AM, many nearby residents and young fans lined up in long queues outside the mall early in the morning, with the line stretching into the street before the doors even opened. The atmosphere was bustling and lively.

This pop-up store was a collaboration between Tianguang Mall and lifestyle brand MINISO, featuring popular characters such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi. The store was decorated in pink tones and cartoon elements, with dedicated character display areas and photo spots, attracting many parents and children to take pictures while shopping. City Councilor Huang Min-yi also visited the store on the 13th, taking photos with the Sanrio backdrop and enjoying the festivities with the public.

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In interviews, many Flushing residents said that Sanrio characters were childhood memories, and they came specifically after learning that the pop-up store was opening near their homes. One person who got up early to queue mentioned that the store was already packed with people before it even opened, demonstrating the appeal of these classic characters. In addition to nostalgia, the store's prices are also quite down-to-earth, with many exquisite small items costing only a few dollars, and many household goods even maintaining single-digit prices. For many families, buying several items as small gifts won't feel like a financial burden.

The mall management stated that the purpose of holding such themed events is to bring more diverse leisure and consumption options to the Flushing community, especially hoping to attract more families and young people. To coincide with the opening day, a limited-edition Hello Kitty tote bag is offered with purchases over $65, while supplies last. It is understood that this Sanrio-themed pop-up store located in Tian Guang Mall will remain open until April 5th.

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If the return of the cold weather after those few days of 70 degrees and sunshine at the start of the week has you in a slump, Saturday’s Hello Kitty pop-up at the Tangram Mall is here just in time to brighten your mood.

The limited edition event, located at 133-33 39th Ave. in Flushing, is hosted by Miniso, a global lifestyle brand, which is bringing its first-ever Hello Kitty and Friends Pop-up to the United States, featuring over 500 Hello Kitty products, including exclusive finds and plenty of pretty kawaii vibes for the ultimate dopamine fix.

The event starts on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m., letting visitors kick off their weekend with a free Hello Kitty tote bag on any purchase of $65 or more, while supplies last. The pop-up marks the first time a Sanrio pop-up featuring characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi will be at the mall right in the heart of the world’s borough.

Guests can begin their visit to the mall exploring an array of Sanrio products including collectibles, plush toys, home goods, accessories, and lifestyle items, before hitting up the mall’s iconic food court, filled with popular spots like Xi’an Famous Foods, known for its hand-pulled noodles, iMilky, offering an array of delicious milk tea and fresh made onigiri, and Soft Swerve, the popular ice cream shop known for Asian-inspired flavors like black sesame and ube soft serve.

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Miniso, headquartered in Guangzhou, China, is a global variety store chain that specializes in affordable, high-quality household goods, cosmetics, and stationery, and hosts a range of pop-up events, including Chiikawa and One Piece, which was their last pop-up event at the Tangram Mall that drew thousands of fans on opening day.

Their latest pop-up event is the perfect family-friendly experience, letting visitors of all ages explore, shop, and celebrate their favorite characters throughout the three-week event.

To learn more, follow @tangramnyc or visit their website.

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A popular Japanese lifestyle brand is marking its first expansion to the world’s borough with an opening slated for later this year at the Tangram Mall in Flushing.

MUJI, opening in Tangram at at 133-33 39th Ave., will feature the brand’s signature minimalist products, including apparel, home goods, kitchenware, stationery, and lifestyle essentials. MUJI’s full name, Mujirushi Ryohin, which loosely translates to “no-brand, quality goods”, emphasizes affordability and simplicity and has locations around the globe in over 33 countries.

After expanding to several locations in Manhattan, the 12,001-square-foot retail space will be another highlight for the popular mall, which features a diverse array of dining options, a movie theater, beauty and wellness stores, and more.

“We’re thrilled to join the Tangram community,” says Richard Rappaport, president of MUJI USA. “Flushing is the perfect home for our first store in Queens, NY, and we look forward to welcoming both longtime fans and new visitors to explore our products, which are thoughtfully designed to make everyday life simpler, more enjoyable, and beautifully minimal.”

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MUJI was founded in Japan in 1980 and has become known for affordable basics, including toothbrushes, pens, aroma diffusers, slippers, chairs and more. The brand emphasizes recycling, reducing production and packaging waste, and often offers no-logo or no-brand products for those looking for quality, simple items that last. From apparel to office supplies, the store is a one-stop shop for an array of items for shoppers.

“From the outset, our vision for Tangram has been to curate a thoughtful, globally inspired tenant mix that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of Downtown Flushing,” said Helen Lee, Principal of F&T Group. “We are excited to welcome a brand of this caliber, one that embodies a timeless design philosophy and an unwavering commitment to quality, to the Downtown Flushing community.”
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To learn more about MUJI or stay up to date with its opening date, follow them at @mujiusa.

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After opening eight locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, beloved Japanese retailer MUJI is finally heading to Queens. The brand’s first borough outpost is slated to open later this year inside Tangram Mall in Flushing.

Founded in Japan in 1980, MUJI–short for Mujirushi Ryohin, or “no-brand, quality goods”–has built a global following for its affordable, thoughtfully designed essentials.

From clothing and stationery to furniture, kitchenware, travel accessories, and even cult-favorite diffusers, the retailer is known for its minimalist aesthetic and commitment to reducing production and packaging waste. Many of its products are logo-free, focusing on simplicity, functionality, and longevity over flash.

The brand made its U.S. debut in 2007 with a flagship on Broadway in SoHo, and has steadily expanded ever since. Now, Queens shoppers will finally have a closer-to-home destination for everything from cozy basics to office supplies and home upgrades.

The new store will be located at 133-33 39th Ave. inside Tangram, a bustling Flushing hub complete with a dining hall, arcade, movie theater, and multi-level retail podium. According to QNS, Richard Rappaport, president of MUJI USA, stated:

We’re thrilled to join the Tangram community. Flushing is the perfect home for our first store in Queens, NY, and we look forward to welcoming both longtime fans and new visitors to explore our products, which are thoughtfully designed to make everyday life simpler, more enjoyable, and beautifully minimal.

Locals are already buzzing.

Reddit users celebrated the news with comments like, “now I don’t have to go to Hudson Yards to get that damn matcha spread,” “Wow this has been long overdue,” and “My stationery addiction just got closer to home ❤️.”

The Queens opening follows the 2025 debut of MUJI’s first-ever U.S. food concept, the MUJI Food Market at Chelsea Market–another sign that the minimalist favorite continues to deepen its NYC footprint.

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New York City Council Deputy Leader Sandra Ung held her first-ever Lunar New Year celebration in her district on Sunday, Feb. 15, at Tangram, located at 133-33 39th Ave. in Flushing.

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The celebration, honoring the Year of the Horse, brought together families, community leaders and local organizations for a fun afternoon of vibrant cultural performances, food and valuable community resources.

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Lady M’s pop-up shop is now available in the Tangram Mall in Flushing.

Photo credit: Lady M

Search our comprehensive guide to things to do in Queens for more local events — or submit your own!

Lady M’s handcrafted cakes have arrived in Flushing with a pop-up shop in the Tangram mall that opened Feb. 3, featuring the brand’s delicate Mille Crêpes along with special edition sweets for Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year.

The pop-up shop, located at 133-33 39th Ave. Flushing is slated to be open for several months, giving Queens a taste of the brand’s renowned cakes that blend French pastry techniques with Japanese sensibilities, offering customers delicate cakes that are just sweet enough and perfect for any occasion, from meet-ups with friends to birthday dinners.

The limited-time event includes an array of cakes that are also available for pre-order and pick up at the Tangram Mall, including the brand’s Signature Mille Crêpes, featuring flavors such as orange, green tea, Dubai chocolate, Pistachio, Earl Grey, and strawberry matcha, as well as their signature Mille Crêpe for those who’d like to keep it classic.

Ben Rice's two-run single

The pop-up shop also features limited-edition items, such as the 2026 Year of the Horse gift set, available until Feb. 17 or until supplies last. The unique set includes a moiré horse motif, a collectible vegan leather bag charm, festive red confetti envelopes, and 32 mini-crêpe biscuits.

For those looking for something special for Valentine’s Day, Lady M has their Valentine’s Day Heart Cake gift sets available from Feb. 13-15, while supplies last. Options include the Chocolate Duo, featuring one mini Couronne du Chocolat Heart Cake and one mini Framboise au Chocolat Heart Cake, the Framboise, with two Mini Framboise au Chocolat Heart Cakes, or the Couronne, with two Mini Couronne du Chocolat Heart Cakes. Each set comes in a custom Lady M giftbox to make the occasion even more special, whether you’re sharing it with friends or a romantic partner for the holiday.

ADVERTISING

Lady M was founded in 2001 as a wholesale provider for luxury hotels and restaurants in NYC. Known as the “Louis Vuitton of cakes,” the brand opened its first boutique on the Upper East Side in 2004. The bakery is most famous for its Mille Crêpes, made of handmade crêpes stacked delicately, alternating with layers of airy pastry cream. The brand has over 50 cake boutiques worldwide, including locations throughout the U.S. and in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

To get a detailed description of their pop-up shop offerings, visit their website or follow them at @ladymcakes

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Tangram, a mixed-use development in Flushing, hosted its 4th annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the building’s atrium on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

There was a special appearance by Santa, who assisted with the countdown and helped bring festive cheer to over 100 spectators as they watched the 40-foot tree, which took about five days to construct, light up at 6 p.m.

Cynthia Yeh, a spokesperson for F&T Group, the developer of Tangram, said the team wanted this year’s tree lighting to be even more festive than before, which is why she contacted the New York Mets and enlisted the help of mascots Mr. and Mrs. Met to kick off the tree lighting and take photos with guests. “We wanted to do things a little differently this year,” she said. “It was very fun and engaging for the community.”

The event was attended by several local officials, including Council Member Sandra Ung, Assemblymember Ron Kim, State Senator John Liu, Inspector Kevin Coleman from the 109th Precinct in Flushing and Deputy Chief Sylvester Ge from the NYPD Transportation Bureau.

After the tree lit up, Impact Culture NYC — a bilingual Asian American cultural institution and artist collective — hosted a variety of vocal and dance performances to help bring even more festive cheer to the event.

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Hannah Liao, who performed solo, sang “Defying Gravity,” followed by “A Million Dreams” performed with Joanna Liang and Miles Tian. Other soloists included Wei Chu, Mei Ke and Deshawn.

A children’s choir sang holiday favorites, including “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and a group of children in holiday costumes performed a dance routine called “Christmas Runaway.”

Helen Lee, principal of F&T, said the developer has been building and investing in the neighborhood it calls home for over 30 years. She said the tree lighting, which the developer has been hosting since 2022, has become the unofficial start of the holiday season for many families in Flushing.

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“We’re proud to see this event grow into a new neighborhood tradition — one that brings our community together in the kind of shared public space we always hoped our atrium would be. Moments like this are what make Flushing feel like home,” she said.

Ung thanked Tangram and F&T for hosting the beloved community tradition and urged neighbors not only to enjoy the decorations, but to support the shops, restaurants and small business owners that make the community a vibrant destination.

“This annual tradition reminds us of everything that makes this neighborhood so special — namely the energy, diversity and incredible people and partners who invest in Flushing and help it thrive,” she said.

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Tangram, located at 133-33 39th Ave. in Flushing, will be hosting photos with Santa in the atrium on Dec. 6, 12 and 13 from 12-3 p.m. Children between the ages of 2 and 12 who attend the Dec. 12 Santa meet-and-greet will receive a toy as well, up to the first 150 children.

Tangram is also hosting its second annual holiday toy drive and is collecting new toys now through Dec. 17, which donors can drop off at Tangram Tower, located at 37-12 Prince St. in Flushing, or the offices of Ung, at 136-21 Latimer Pl. in Flushing, and Liu, at 38-50 Bell Blvd., Suite C, in Bayside.

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The new YMCA branch in Flushing, currently being constructed at Flushing Commons, received a $3 million allocation of state funds secured by Assemblymember Ron Kim and Speaker Carl Heastie during a press conference on Nov. 20.

In attendance were Assemblymember Nily Rozic; Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York; Heidy Lopez, executive director of the Flushing YMCA; and Helen Lee, president of F&T Development.

Built as part of phase two of the larger Flushing Commons development project, the new 62,000-square-foot YMCA facility will be built in partnership with the F&T group. It will be located at the parking lot between 37th and 39th avenues and 137th Street.

According to a news release from Kim’s office, the funding will go toward critical capital funding and infrastructure needs as the project continues to move toward completion.

Kim, who is chair of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development, said he is proud of the capital funding investment secured for the project. As a nearly lifelong resident of the community, Kim said he has been an ongoing member and supporter of the YMCA.

“The YMCA has long been an essential pillar of Flushing, and I know my countless memories of exercising, meeting friends, and going to after-school programs there are shared with many, many others in our community,” Kim said. “This money will ensure current and future generations can continue to have those experiences, and I thank Speaker Heastie for working with me and the YMCA of Greater New York to ensure this project gets the support it needs to be completed.”

Heastie said the YMCA serves as a backbone for communities across the five boroughs, explaining that they function as multigenerational spaces for families, children and friends to connect, socialize and focus on their overall wellbeing and health.

“Congratulations to Assemblyman Ron Kim, a fervent advocate for the Flushing community, for securing this funding for the Flushing YMCA,” Heastie said. “His efforts will enable the Queens community to continue to grow and flourish.”

Greenberger said the YMCA is grateful for Kim and Heastie’s leadership and support of the facility and its mission.

“Our goal at the YMCA of Greater New York is to create stronger, healthier, and more connected communities — and this new facility will help us do just that,” Greenberger said. “The new Flushing YMCA will provide critical programs and resources for families, seniors and youth — ensuring that the Y continues to be the place where all New Yorkers can learn, grow, and thrive.”

Lopez said the Flushing YMCA has been a trusted community space for nearly 100 years, noting that next year marks the facility’s centennial. She said the new YMCA at Flushing Commons will lay the foundation for future generations, offering new spaces for fitness, youth development and community connection that reflects the spirit of the community.

“It will be more than a building; it will be a home for growth, connection, and belonging for every generation,” Lopez said. “We are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Kim, Speaker Heastie, and all our partners who share our commitment to creating opportunities for all New Yorkers.”

Lee said Kim and Heastie’s efforts to secure funding for the new building was a meaningful investment in local families, which F&T has been committed to for decades.

“For more than 30 years, F&T has been building in Flushing with a deep commitment to the community we call home,” Lee said. “Our work, from Flushing Commons Phase 2 to our partnership with the YMCA, reflects our ongoing dedication to creating spaces that strengthen and support this community for generations to come.”

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Council Member Sandra Ung was joined by YMCA of Greater New York President & CEO Sharon Greenberger, Flushing YMCA Executive Director Heidy Lopez, F&T Group Principal Helen Lee, and members of the Flushing YMCA Board of Directors and staff to announce just over $1 million in funding she secured for a new YMCA in downtown Flushing.

Photo courtesy of CM Ung’s office

A new state-of-the-art YMCA is coming to downtown Flushing.

Council Member Sandra Ung announced on Friday, Sept. 12, that she’s secured just over $1 million in city funding to help bring a long-awaited new YMCA to Flushing. Ung was joined by YMCA Leadership, members of the Flushing YMCA Board of Directors, YMCA members and Helen Lee, principal of the F&T Group, at the site of Flushing Commons Phase Two, located at 37th Ave. & 138th St, to announce the news.

The YMCA will be built as part of Phase 2 of the Flushing Commons development, a massive mixed-use project located at the site of a parking lot bordered by 3rd and 39th Avenues and 137th Street. The current Flushing YMCA is located in an older building on Northern Boulevard, and the new facility will provide a modernized space to serve current and future YMCA members.

The F&T Group will construct the new 62,000-square-foot community facility as part of its development under an agreement with the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

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“As someone who grew up at the Flushing YMCA and served on its Board of Directors, I know how vital this institution is to our community,” said Ung. “The YMCA is where seniors come to stay healthy and active, where adults gather to play basketball and exercise, where children learn to swim, and where teens can find a safe and productive place after school. For generations, it has been a cornerstone of community life in Flushing.”

Phase 2 of Flushing  Commons is finally back on track after experiencing delays due to the pandemic. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Ung acknowledged the long wait for the project, but said she was optimistic that the end is now in sight.

“The Flushing YMCA, its members, and the broader Flushing community have been eagerly awaiting the completion of this project and the new YMCA facilities, but I believe we are finally getting close to making this long-promised project a reality,” said Council Member Ung. “I am proud to have secured this City funding to help outfit the new YMCA, and I look forward to the day when this facility opens its doors and continues serving Flushing for generations to come.

Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater New York, reflected on receiving the massive funding injection.

“This investment is not just in bricks and mortar — it’s in the health, well-being, and future of the Flushing community. Thanks to Council Member Ung’s commitment, we are one step closer to opening a welcoming space where children can thrive, families can connect, and residents of all ages can grow stronger together,” Greenberger said.

“As we near our 100th anniversary, this milestone reminds us of the power of community and what we can achieve together. Our new YMCA will be more than a building — it will be a home for growth, connection, and belonging for every generation,” said Heidy Lopez, Flushing YMCA executive director.

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The city’s newest indoor shopping center, in Queens, has defied predictions of the death of the American mall by catering to Asian American shoppers.

Oumou Diallo, 14, and Jannah Ferdaus, 15, at Kokoro Cat Cafe, one of the attractions of the Tangram mall in Flushing, Queens.Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

By Matthew Haag

On a warm Tuesday afternoon in Queens, ’90s hits were blaring and the mall was bouncing.

On the upper level, a family ate a late lunch around a cauldron of soup. Near the atrium, a girl chased neon tiles flashing on an interactive floor. In the cat cafe, a woman sought a relaxing moment with Dina, a gray-and-tan rescue dozing against a window.

Welcome to Tangram: a 275,000-square-foot indoor shopping center in the middle of Flushing that is defying the slow death march of the American mall.

Across the country, about 10 malls close every year. Only 950 remain open nationwide today, down from a peak of several thousand at the end of the 20th century, according to Green Street, a real estate research firm. Many are now empty relics of American consumerism, conjuring memories of anchor department stores and after-school hangouts.

Those that are hanging on, like the Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn, are increasingly hollowed out. On a recent visit to Kings Plaza, there were few shoppers, 11 vacant storefronts and a boarded-up space where a McDonald’s used to be.

ImageBy comparison, the Kings Plaza Shopping center in Brooklyn was largely empty during a recent visit, with numerous vacant storefronts.Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

Home to some of the world’s most prestigious retail corridors, New York City has not been known as a mall city. (The massive Manhattan Mall shut during the pandemic.) Things are different in the suburbs, where malls like Roosevelt Field on Long Island and American Dream in New Jersey are among the largest in the country.

Nick A. Egelanian, a retail consultant, said he believed that only a few hundred malls would survive over the next decades. Roosevelt Field and the Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey are likely to last, he said, because they offer high-end shopping and attract a broad customer base.

“Most of the other malls, even in the New York area, are in some form of a decline or are gone,” Mr. Egelanian said.

But Tangram is not your typical American mall.

Across two floors, there are signs in both Chinese and English, a few boutiques and rows of restaurants, including many Chinese chains and one that stays open until 6 a.m., serving the last of the all-night karaoke revelers.

At one corner is a brightly colored arcade, with claw machines packed with stuffed animals and Pokémon cards; at the other end is a Pop Mart, the seller of Labubus, the hard-to-find furry elf collectibles that have become a global sensation.

Malls that are adapting and even thriving have remade themselves into destinations for food, drinks and fun in addition to shopping — with some also appealing to a specific demographic. For Tangram, success has meant catering to the Asian American population outside its doors in Flushing, a working-class neighborhood about eight miles east of Midtown Manhattan that is one of the largest Chinatowns in the country.

ImageThe mall’s owners have sought out retailers that attract a variety of customers of different ages and income levels. Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

ImageThe arcade at Tangram. Some malls in different parts of the country have found success by remaking themselves as destinations for dining and other activities.Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times.

“Tangram, to me, was something that had to feel very inclusive, directed toward the local demographic, but also invites others in,” said Helen Lee, an executive vice president of F&T Group, the mall’s developer. “There has to be a sense of it being very global but at the same time feeling very hyperlocal.”

That approach has been pursued by several malls in Toronto and more recently by a few larger centers on the U.S. West Coast, where shopping destinations like the Japanese Village Plaza in Los Angeles took off decades ago. On the West Side of San Francisco, Stonestown Galleria recently added a slew of Asian eateries and retailers, which have opened alongside an Apple Store and a Whole Foods.

Since then, sales at Stonestown have increased, said Kevin McCrain, the head of global retail at Brookfield Properties, the mall’s operator. “It really is a cross-section of San Francisco and the community around it,” he said.

Tangram opened three years ago as part of an $800 million mixed-use development built on the site of the former Flushing Mall, a dreary center with a popular food court. It is the latest large development in the transformation of Flushing, where luxury condominiums and pricey restaurants now stand next to mom-and-pop businesses, noodle and dumpling stands and produce vendors.

The mall’s owner, F&T Group, is the area’s most prolific developer, managing about six million square feet of space in Flushing that is either completed, under construction or in the development pipeline. It is also part of a consortium redeveloping 29 acres along the Flushing Creek waterfront.

ImageLabubu collectibles are a coveted item (when they’re in stock).Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

ImageUpscale ice cream is among the food offerings.Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

But the redevelopment has led to increases in storefront rents, forcing some businesses to close, said Ikhwan Rim, the owner of Rims Fine Jewelry on Union Street. Mr. Rim said the rent on his 800-square-foot store is now $10,000 a month, a 30 percent increase from a decade ago. The store has also had fewer customers since a large parking lot nearby was replaced with an office-and-retail building.

With declining sales, Mr. Rim said he had to look elsewhere to grow his business. He recently opened a store in suburban Dallas. “The developers only think of themselves,” Mr. Rim said.

Ms. Lee of F&T Group said that rising rents reflected the hot retail market in Flushing, which she said has a lower storefront vacancy rate than some parts of Manhattan. She said she believed that new developments like Tangram and the shops and restaurants on Flushing’s main retail corridors could coexist, each with its own appeal.

As Tangram has filled out, Ms. Lee said her firm has tried to bring in retailers that attract a range of customers: younger and older, price-conscious and well-heeled. Labubus at Pop Mart cost $28, if you can find one, while massage chairs at Osim can exceed $10,000. A Regal movie theater, which shows new Hollywood releases as well as Chinese films in Mandarin, is across from a children’s swimming school and above a hair salon.

“The biggest failure of a mall is that once you don’t change and you don’t adapt to what the customers really want, it’s going to go stale,” Ms. Lee said.

The mall is nearly fully leased and has become one of the most visited destinations in Flushing, a bustling enclave with gridlocked streets, packed sidewalks and one of the city’s busiest subway stations.

ImageThe food court at Tangram includes well-known Chinese restaurant chains.Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

ImageAmong the activities for children is an interactive floor game.Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

That vibrancy is what Hang Lin said he wanted when he searched the region for a place to expand his Japanese anime and toy store, Akiba House, which has locations in New Jersey. It opened at Tangram in 2023 next to Tai Er, the first American outpost of a popular restaurant chain in China known for sauerkraut fish.

“These days, there are two types of malls,” Mr. Lin said. “One that is dying, and another where there is a lot of foot traffic.”

On a recent afternoon, Ariel Chang, 20, and a friend walked out of Akiba House and sat on a bench to open their purchases: wristwatches in “blind boxes,” which don’t reveal the specific style inside until they are opened. Visiting from Seattle, she said she had heard about Tangram and had been eager to visit.

“We don’t have malls like this,” said Ms. Chang, strapping on her new accessory, a yellow-and-red watch just like her friend’s. “It’s catered to young people.”

Dragon Peng said he had found Ms. Lee to be open to his retail concept — a cat cafe modeled after popular animal-petting cafes in Japan.

Mr. Peng, 25, quit his job in investment banking, emptied his savings and opened Kokoro Cat Cafe with his girlfriend in March. For $20, customers get 40 minutes with five cats, all rescues that can also be adopted.

“We really chose Tangram because the people that are already here would already be familiar with the concept,” Mr. Peng said, “but it doesn’t necessarily have to be only geared toward an Asian audience.”

ImageHelen Lee, an executive vice president of F&T Group, the mall’s developer, said the mall should feel directed toward local residents but also broadly inviting. Credit…Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

Matthew Haag writes for The Times about the intersection of real estate and politics in the New York region. He has been a journalist for two decades.

Read original article here: With Labubus and a Cat Cafe, a Shopping Mall Thrives in New York City – The New York Times

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第20屆「大都會AI台灣日」24日晚間在紐約花旗球場（Citi Field）舉行。比賽前夕，受邀擔任開球嘉賓的台北101董事長賈永婕提前現身法拉盛，出席由紐約台灣商會與新澤西台灣商會聯合舉辦的記者會，與僑胞互動、分享開球心情。

記者會在法拉盛天廣商城（Tangram）舉行，吸引眾多民眾到場支持。賈永婕一出現，便成為全場焦點，不少僑胞爭相合影留念，其中包括紐約台灣會館理事長蘇春槐。

當天賈永婕身穿親自設計的開球球衣亮相，正面印有「台灣」，背後為「台北101」，右袖繡有國旗，造型搶眼。

她笑說：「從知道自己要開球的那一天起，我就很用心準備這件球衣，今天也會同步在台北101官網開賣。」談到開球當下，她坦言不追求球速或類型，「我要投的是一顆漂亮的球——姿勢漂亮、人漂亮、服裝漂亮。重點是，讓全世界看到我們的台灣，這才是最重要的。」

這次訪紐，她也特別提到首次與當地台灣商會的交流，帶來全新感受。「我以前來紐約都住差不多的地方，這是第一次真正與在地的台灣商會接觸。也讓我感受到大家對台灣的愛，真的很感動。」

紐約台灣商會會長林慶甫表示，今年共釋出1750張球票，三種票價全數售罄。「很多人都在搶購，但真的沒有了，明年請早！我們的獎品也會更加豐富。」他也感謝賈永婕蒞臨，為活動注入人氣。

新澤西台灣商會會長蔡慶輝則幽默表示：「大家今天有沒有塞車？因為我們賈董來了，現場爆棚！」他號召現場民眾在賈永婕投球瞬間齊聲吶喊，「為台灣加油！賈董讚不讚？讚！」

活動現場還展示限量福袋，內容包括特製球衣、球帽、以及華航特別製作的鑰匙圈。華航與長榮航空各贊助一張紐約—台北來回機票作為抽獎大獎，預計將於下周二在紐約台灣商會官網直播開獎。

晚間比賽由紐約大都會隊對戰洛杉磯道奇隊，兩大球星大谷翔平與索托（Juan Soto）同場較勁，預計吸引逾四萬名球迷入場觀戰。「AI台灣日」自2005年創辦以來，已成為美國台灣社群的重要年度盛事，融合棒球、文化與社區動能，持續強化台灣在國際上的能見度。

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Earlier this month, José Moreno was in Flushing when he tasted a Sichuan peppercorn for the first time. He was hovering over a bowl of fish soup, when one crunched between his teeth. He reached for some water. There wasn’t any. He started to pant. The numbing spread. What saved him was a familiar taste: hibiscus tea. “If you add ice to this, it’s like agua de jamaica,” he says.

Moreno, the owner of a small fleet of Birria-Landia taco trucks, has been learning a lot about Flushing. For months, he’s been in the neighborhood working on his first immobile business, a Birria-Landia taqueria opening in the Tangram mall next month. It occupies a prominent corner stall in the second-floor food court, right by the Angry Birds cafe. “People who come and visit the food trucks, they have to eat standing up,” he says. “Now they have plenty of tables.”

The location may seem like an unlikely landing place for one of the city’s most popular taco purveyors, but that’s why Moreno thinks it’s going to work. He first heard about Tangram last year, when a representative for the shopping center stopped by one of his food trucks with an offer. They wanted his birria. “I thought it was a normal mall with a Macy’s,” he says, before he learned it’s an $800 million development with indoor swimming pools and caviar-topped duck-skin canapés. At the same time, he’d noticed an uptick in Asian customers at his food trucks over the years and agreed to a meeting. When he visited the food court, a group of Latino construction workers implored him to open. “There was nowhere to eat Mexican food,” he says. (No, a nearby Chipotle doesn’t count.)

The new space has translated to a bigger menu, a welcome evolution for day-one fans, who have subsisted on one meat and four items for years. There are new proteins, including chicken and carne asada, and a flour tortilla option for the birria, a trend Moreno observed in northern Mexico. Meatless tacos — potato and mushroom — are on the menu, too, following requests from vegetarian customers.

Sopes will be on the menu when the stall opens this spring. Photo: Birria Landia

Finally, there will be burritos, a first for Birria-Landia, made with tortillas from Tortilleria Nixtamal, “It’s a skinny burrito you can hold and eat easily,” says Moreno, who worked in Los Angeles before the pandemic. His criteria: whole beans, fewer ingredients inside, a quality tortilla wrapped in aluminum foil, and a manageable hand-feel: “You don’t need a fork and knife.”

Everything has gone through rigorous testing. Before opening his first truck, Moreno fine-tuned his birria by cooking for his co-workers at Patrizia’s Pizzeria. His new chorizo recipe ran the same gauntlet; all of Birria-Landia has weighed in. “Once, twice a week we were eating chorizo burritos,” says Angel Ruiz, who helps manage the business. The winner was an uncomplicated preparation involving pork shoulder, guajillo peppers, vinegar, and salt.

Moreno will run the restaurant with his brother, Jesús, a partner from the start, along with Ruiz, a childhood friend. “I never would have thought that we would be here,” Ruiz says. (He and Moreno used to wash dishes together in the kitchen at Babbo, until they were permitted to cook.) By the time Moreno opened Birria-Landia in 2019, Tijuana-style birria tacos had already taken off in California, but he jump-started the movement here — birria is sold at bodegas, fine-dining restaurants, and Tacombi.

Still, Birria-Landia remains the one to beat: The business has since grown into a multi-borough enterprise with five trucks and nearly 100,000 Instagram followers. Whenever the operation expands — roughly once a year — they consider customer requests and nearby competition. They opened on the Upper West Side because the best alternative for tacos was Chipotle; they expanded to the Bronx after Instagram followers protested that Williamsburg got a food truck first. And Moreno was drawn to Flushing because there are taco trucks and tamale stands stationed along Main Street, but nowhere to sit down and eat carne asada.

“This place needs it,” says Guosheng Wang, from Long Island. He was considering the egg tarts and corn dogs in the Tangram food court when a bright-red bull caught his eye — the Birria-Landia logo. “When I see a new Mexican restaurant open, I always check things out,” Wang says. “I know they have a following.”

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A popular West Coast bakery is bringing its sweet success to the East Coast.

85°C Bakery Cafe, a renowned bakery chain with over 1,000 locations worldwide, is expanding its presence in the U.S. with a grand opening in Flushing’s Tangram Shopping Mall this weekend.

The new location, situated at 133-27 39th Ave., Unit G2, will host a grand opening celebration from Friday, Jan. 10, to Sunday, Jan. 12, offering promotions and giveaways to mark the occasion.

Visitors can enjoy free promotional items while supplies last, including a tote bag or state mug with any purchase, as well as prizes with proof of purchase. Special giveaways include a free t-shirt for the first 85 customers on Friday and a complimentary drink of choice for the first 85 customers on Sunday.

The Flushing bakery will feature more than 50 varieties of pastries, breads, cakes, and freshly brewed coffees, all made in-house daily, catering to both sweet and savory cravings.

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Some of 85°C Bakery Cafe’s top-selling pastries include milk pudding, a traditional Japanese-style soft bread with vanilla custard inside; marble taro, a sweet bread made with mixed grains and filled with signature taro filling; and choco bun, a small bun made of chocolate dough filled with chocolate chips.

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85°C Bakery Cafe also offers an extensive selection of fresh milk teas, fresh fruit teas, and frozen drinks, including caramel coffee smoothies, mango slush, frozen marble taro, and more. Best-selling drinks include strawberry matcha latte, sea salt coffee, 85C Coffee, and sea salt jasmine green tea.

Current seasonal offerings include cinnamon rolls, toffee lattes, and panettone.

As for savory options, the bakery has just unveiled a new sandwich selection at set locations, which includes a ham and cheese sandwich, a pesto chicken sandwich, and a tuna sandwich. Sweet lovers can also choose from their new cocoa-dipped Danish and tiramisu basque cheesecake.

Up Next - Starling Marte's solo home run

Andy Kuo, CEO of 85°C Bakery Cafe USA, said the brand is “incredibly excited” to host its first East Coast grand opening. “This is an exciting milestone for the brand, and we look forward to introducing our unique offerings to the vibrant New York community. Our goal is to become a cherished part of the local community and offer something special to all who visit,” Kuo said in a statement.

85°C Bakery Cafe was founded in 2003 by Cheng-Hsueh Wu. Wu was inspired to start the bakery cafe chain when he dined on gourmet pastries in a cafe at a five-star hotel. He realized that the prices were inaccessible to many interested in eating high-quality pastries regularly and created 85°C Bakery Cafe to offer premium pastries and coffees at affordable rates.

The first U.S. store opened in Irvine, California, in 2008. The brand has expanded nationwide, with locations in California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York.

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The brand has opened its first location in the borough of Queens, marking its 18^th brick-and-mortar location in the US.

Located at the Tangram Mall in Flushing, the new store follows a successful pop-up location at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, as well as the most recent opening in the Staten Island Mall and the unveiling of its first Robo Shop on Long Island at Roosevelt Field Mall.

“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our newest New York location in Tangram Mall,” said Larry Lu, President of Pop Mart North America. “For the opening, we partnered with Haidilao Hot Pot to create a memorable experience that celebrates our shared cultural roots. Building on the success of our first store in the World Trade Center, New York remains a key market as we continue to expand our US presence.”

The new Queens store offers a series of opening specials, including super exclusive editions of Mega Space Molly and top selling The Monsters series from vinyl plush dolls, accessories and blind boxes. Shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase several sold out and sought after collections including The Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box Series, the Labubu x Pronounces – Wings of Fortune Vinyl Plush Hanging Card and much more.

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MINISO and Chiikawa will appear at the Tangram Shopping Mall in for a special pop-up store collaboration, marking the character’s first retail appearance in North America.

Global lifestyle brand MINISO has collaborated with Chiikawa, one of the most popular character brands in Japan today, to spread new fun and joy to customers in the US. Chiikawa, born from a social media manga and named for the main character meaning “something small and cute” has become a pop culture phenomenon across Japan and Asia. Known for its cute and comforting art style, the beloved Chiikawa, along with friends Hachiware and Usagi are coming to an exclusive pop-up store in Flushing, Queens, New York this month.

MINISO’s first-ever short-term pop-up in the country will debut at the Tangram Shopping Mall with Chiikawa from 9 August to 7 September. A popular destination for young consumers in the heart of Flushing’s commercial district, the free-standing pop-up will allow customers to step into the adorable world of Chiikawa and purchase exclusive co-branded products.

With an enchanting design, including a massive 3D figure on the roof and featuring comic inspired images, the pop-up store will carry nearly 100 offerings, including cute plush toys, bags, stationery and various lifestyle products, making it the most comprehensive collection of MINISO X Chiikawa merchandise in the US.

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Tangram, the massive shopping mall in Flushing, Queens is bringing in an exciting batch of brand new tenants, one of them being Gatcha, "an Asian-inspired barcade."
Bar meets arcade—what could be better than that?! Gatcha, a brand new tenant coming to Tangram this April is bringing the two together for an epic immersive gaming experience.

The concept is described as “An Asian-inspired barcade” that will span 9,000 square feet within Tangram’s 1.2 million square feet. The lease was officially signed last year, so it’s been many months in the making.

Gatcha combines the nostalgia of retro machines with Eastern arcade games. And when you’ve played enough, there’s a full bar to grab a drink.

Visitors can test their skills at the clawclade with a top tier lineup of machines to win Gatcha Designed Plush Toys and Anime figurines to Gundam Kits. Plus, Gatcha is introducing their snack claw machines that are filled with mouthwatering goodies. After racking up the prizes at the clawcade, guests can move on to more classic games like Dance Dance Revolution that’s had a resurgence with younger generations in Asia.

If you still have energy after a fired up session of Dance Dance Revolution, some Gatcha locations feature a Play Park & Trampoline area. Whether the New York flagship will have this feature is undetermined. The first Gatcha opened in Saugus, Massachusetts, with a second location in Orlando. The New York venue will be the new Gatcha flagship.

Guests will officially be welcomed for drinks and games on April 19, 2024. However, be sure to keep an eye out on upcoming events leading towards the grand opening.

“After opening two years ago, Tangram has solidified itself as the go-to destination for local visitors and tourists alike,” said Helen Lee, Executive Vice President of F&T Group. “Tangram is not a typical mall where people come to eat, shop, and then leave. We have created a gathering place with a wide range of activities, entertainment, and events for people to enjoy with friends and family.” And while you’re there, be sure to check out the cyber-punk food hall!

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Firm Name
JG Neukomm Architecture and Margulies Hoelzli Architecture

Project
Tangram Fitness - Location: Flushing, Queens
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Photography by Scott Frances.

JG Neukomm Architecture and Margulies Hoelzli Architecture is a 2023 NYCxDESIGN Awards winner for Tangram Fitness.

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Flushing community leaders, local elected officials and residents kicked off the holiday season on Thursday, Dec. 1 with a tree lighting celebration at Tangram, a new premier destination for shopping and fine dining in the community.

The event dazzled spectators with new decor, music, special performances, and a visit from Santa Claus. Guests were treated to a sneak preview of the ‘La Boutique Fantasque’ (The Magic Toyshop) performed by the Great Neck Ballet under Roberta Stern officially coming to the city in late December.

An octet of Christmas Carolers were dressed in Dickens costumes singing Christmas classics, along with local children choirs, dance groups, solo singers and St. John’s University dance team.

Continuing the holiday festivities, Tangram will offer free photos with Santa with any same-day food hall purchase of $20 on select dates.

Photos with Santa:

Saturday, Dec. 3 (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Tuesday, Dec. 13 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Saturday, Dec. 17 (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Tuesday, Dec. 20 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

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The 15th-floor home is part of a new mixed-use development in the heart of downtown
Flushing, which is known for its walkability and great international restaurants

BY BILL CARY | ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 6, 2022

Listing of the Day

Location: Flushing, Queens, New York

Price: $3.1 million

This three-bedroom penthouse in a new development in eastern Queens offers
private wraparound balconies, a duplex rooftop terrace and open views of the
Manhattan skyline.

The 16-story Tangram House West condo tower, which was designed by the
architect Jean-Gabriel Neukomm, has 105 residences (studios and one- and twobedroom units) and 27 penthouses (one- to four-bedroom units). It’s a mixed-use development in the heart of downtown Flushing that offers retail, residential, office
and hotel space.

“This is a first for Flushing,” said listing agent Eunice Chen, a sales associate with F&T
Group, which is developing the project in partnership with SCG America. “What
makes this unit the most special are the outdoor spaces and the Manhattan views.
You’ve got your own little haven up there.”

The roof deck, which features a built-in barbecue area with a Wolf gas range grill set,
is “very private,” she said. “No one is overlooking your terrace.”

Construction is complete on the lower floors of the building, and the penthouses
should be finished by late summer, she said.

When you come into the penthouse, the “first thing you see are the windows facing
Manhattan,” Ms. Chen said. “The apartment gets incredible light.”

The open-plan living room has sitting and dining areas, and the custom kitchen
features Miele appliances, stainless-steel sinks and faucets, Italian cabinetry from
Doimo and Italian stone countertops and backsplash.

Other design details in the 15th
-floor unit include a built-in gas fireplace in the living
room, French oak floors, floor-to-ceiling double-paned glass walls with privacy
tinting, 10-foot ceilings and a Miele washer and dryer in a laundry closet tucked
under the staircase to the roof, according to the listing.

The primary bedroom suite, which is in a separate wing, also has open views of
Manhattan. The five-piece primary bathroom features a Toto bidet toilet, double
vanities, a standing shower, a soaking bathtub and radiant floor heating.

The penthouses have better finishes than the other units, Ms. Chen said. “Everything
is just a little bit nicer.”

Stats
The 2,156-square-foot home has three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and one
partial bathroom. There is also 1,213 square feet of exterior space.

Amenities
Building amenities include an indoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, a spa, a
Himalayan salt room, a sauna, two gyms, a yoga room, 1.5-acre walking gardens, a
dog park, barbecue areas, a library, a lounge, a party room and a children’s playroom.
The development also includes a 4DX movie theater (Regal Cinemas), a shopping
mall, restaurants and a 208-key Renaissance hotel.

Neighborhood Notes
“Most people love Flushing for its accessibility,” Ms. Chen said. “Everything is
walkable. There are hundreds of restaurants and good shops.”
“It’s becoming touristy as well,” she said. “The airports are so close and there are so
many hotels here.”

Agent: Eunice Chen, a sales associate with F&T Group

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An $800 million development in Flushing, Queens, is poised to open in February with an array of upscale retail chain stores, cafes and restaurants that will be unrecognizable to most Americans.

The Tangram project will include the U.S. flagship location of Xiao Long Kan Hot Pot, a restaurant popular in China, and machi machi, a Taiwanese cafe known for its bubble teas. The site also features the first New York City location for Miniso, a Japanese-inspired purveyor of housewares and stationery.

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Asian Americans are gaining political power in New York. In 2018, John Liu and Kevin Thomas became the first Asian Americans elected to the state Senate. This year, they were joined by state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, the first upstate Asian American elected to state office. Jenifer Rajkumar and Zohran Mamdani also made history in last year’s elections as the first South Asians elected to the Assembly, where they joined fellow Asian American trailblazers Ron Kim and Yuh-Line Niou. Although Andrew Yang’s mayoral bid fizzled, as many as half a dozen Asian Americans are on track to secure seats in the New York City Council, up from two currently in office.

Of course, Asian Americans are not a monolithic group – a reality reflected on City & State’s latest Power of Diversity: Asian 100. The largest subgroups are Chinese and Indian Americans, and some of the most influential individuals – including Yang, Liu, Niou and Rep. Grace Meng – are Taiwanese Americans. Koreans also make up a sizable share of the list – which was researched and written in partnership with journalist Natasha Ishak – while Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam are all represented as well.

When the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit New York, Queens quickly became an epicenter of the deadly virus. But thanks to the collective efforts of public officials, civic leaders and everyday New Yorkers, the borough is on the rebound. State Sen. Michael Gianaris, the No. 2 in the state Legislature’s upper house who also represents western Queens, has championed legislation instituting new protections for workers and tenants. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who hails from Jackson Heights, spearheaded a measure that delivers badly needed assistance to undocumented immigrants. And Queens’ own Rep. Grace Meng has been speaking out loudly against rising xenophobia and hate crimes directed at Asian Americans during the pandemic.

These three lawmakers are among the many government officials – along with health care professionals, business executives, nonprofit leaders, union chiefs, advocates and activists of every stripe – who have responded forcefully to the public crisis as well as the economic shutdown that ensued. City & State’s latest Queens Power 100, which was researched and written in partnership with freelance journalist Clarissa Sosin, highlights the diverse array of leaders in the borough who are bringing it back from the brink.

As executive vice president of F&T Group, Helen Lee is working to help reshape the future of Flushing, Queens. Lee has been a visionary behind a number of developments. They include Queens Crossing, a multilevel mall; Flushing Commons, a two-building, mixed-use condominium; and 1 Fulton Square, a 330,000-square-foot development at the center of Flushing’s culinary scene. Lee is leading the creation of Tangram, a 1.2 million-square-foot, mixed-use condominium development that is almost finished. Meanwhile, F&T Group has recently embarked on its most ambitious project to date, the Special Flushing Waterfront District, a 13-building, mixed-use development, for which Lee and adjacent neighbors have received approval. The project will bring to life the longunderused Flushing Creek waterfront.

The City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and its Committee on Land Use on Wednesday, Dec. 9, voted in favor of approving the Special Flushing Waterfront District — a 29-acre proposal that would bring waterfront access, environmental cleanup and new development to a decades-long isolated and polluted section of downtown Flushing.

The proposal will now move forward to the full council for a final vote on Thursday, Dec. 10.

After delaying the vote on the matter in recent days, the council’s Subcommittee on Zoning had announced reaching a deal with the labor unions, Hotel Trades Council (HTC) and SEIU 32BJ, to ensure good jobs, community benefits and more for the Special Flushing Waterfront District (SFWD).

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The City Council on Thursday gave a large development project in Flushing, Queens, the green light to move forward.

Lawmakers voted, 38 to 5, with one abstention, to approve plans to build more than 1,700 units of housing, three hotels, and office and retail space over 29 acres on the Flushing waterfront.

The project will provide “an economic shot in the arm for Flushing and the city at a time when we need it most,” said Councilman Peter Koo (D-Queens), who reps the neighborhood where the buildings will go up.

Members of the Flushing community on Friday, Dec. 4, ushered in the holiday season with the annual unveiling of a new outdoor art installation that is serving as a symbol of hope for the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the 13th consecutive year, real estate firm F&T Group partnered with Crossing Art Gallery to bring artwork to downtown Flushing.

This year’s lively sculptural piece, “Hearts as One” is created by Asian-American artist Jaena Kwon, who has lived in Queens for five years. Kwon’s artwork will be on display until Jan. 31 at the Queens Crossing Outdoor Plaza (Outside of Paris Baguette bakery) at 136-17 39th Ave.

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F&T Group has unveiled a new outdoor art installation at the Queens Crossing Plaza in Flushing. As part of an annual collaboration with Crossing Art gallery, the unveiling has become a tradition for those who live and work in the neighborhood. This year’s work is from Asian American artist, Jaena Kwon, whose sculptural piece is titled “Hearts as One.”

F&T is the developer behind the 1.2 million s/f Tangram mixed use complex in Flushing and part of the Special Flushing Waterfront District team looking to activate 29 acres of inactive and underutilized land along Flushing Creek to create a public waterfront park.

“F&T Group is deeply rooted in the Flushing community. Our goal within every project and initiative we back is to bring the community together and to celebrate the immigrant roots Flushing was built upon. This inspiring installation is a display of creative passion and a reminder of the importance of visual arts, especially during the holidays and a challenging year,” said Michael Lee, CEO of F&T Group.

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Several days after a number of city councilmembers said the Special Flushing Waterfront District wouldn’t adequately serve the needs of the Flushing community, the development owners revealed they would dedicate space to child mentoring and senior recreational services.

FWRA, LLC and the La Jornada food pantry teamed up to serve more than 3,000 turkeys to families in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Nov. 22. The developers had secured the funds after raising $67,148 for the benefit of La Jornada’s Bland Houses food pantry, which has seen lines wrap around Downtown Flushing blocks for several months during the crisis.

The developers revealed the event is the beginning of a long-tern relationship with La Jornada — the pantry has been offered 1,000 square feet of space within the new SFWD dedicated to neighborhood social services similar to ones FWRA had been chastised by opposers for not originally including in the plans.

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While some new developments seek to transform their neighborhoods, Tangram House emphasizes its deep connection to Flushing. The 1.2 million-square-foot development plans to bring new housing, new office space, a four-star Renaissance Flushing Hotel, acclaimed international restaurants, and a 4DX Regal Cinemas, Flushing’s first movie theater in decades, to Queens. Some of these ventures look uncertain in light of the coronavirus pandemic, but the connection to the community has stayed consistent: At the height of the pandemic, developer F&T Group partnered with non-profit Asians in America to purchase and deliver meals from its food tenants to first responders.

On the residential side, Tangram House’s collection of studio through three-bedrooms features interiors by JG Neukomm Architecture, a firm famous for its work for Tiffany & Company, Calvin Klein, and Ian Schrager. A 15-year tax abatement is in effect, and residential amenities include a fitness center, indoor saltwater pool, tennis courts, spa with sauna and salt room, children’s playroom, library, and 1.5 acres of gardens.

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Tangram House South – the first opportunity to live in the new heart of Flushing, Tangram – is revealing two beautiful model homes. Designed by New York-based JG Neukomm Architecture, a global design studio that created world famous spaces for the likes of Tiffany, Calvin Klein and hotelier Ian Schrager, Flushing’s new luxury residences bring a whole new level of luxury to one of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods.

Tangram House South offers stunning apartments showcasing Manhattan-caliber finishes and spectacular private amenities. Residents have access to 8,000-square-foot state-of-the-art health and wellness club with spa facilities, saunas, a salt room, a 60’ long indoor heated saltwater lap pool, and a relaxing heated vitality pool. They arrive home at a private porte-cochère and enter via a beautiful, fully-attended lobby with a 24-hour doorman, concierge, and live-in residents’ manager. And just outside their doorstep, residents will have immediate access to the hustle and bustle of 39th Avenue, Flushing’s new Main Street offering a wide variety of retail and entertainment attractions, making it an exceptional destination to live, work and play.

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One Fulton Square has been a strong influence in the redevelopment of Downtown Flushing, so it’s no surprise that the 330,000 square-foot commercial plaza is proving to be an innovative player in the neighborhood's outdoor dining scene.

Diners are welcomed to the property’s private square or terrace, and invited to sink their teeth into a diverse showcase of flavors al fresco-- from Szechuan cuisine to Malaysian fare to Korean fried chicken and beyond.

In an effort to establish a safe outdoor dining experience, One Fulton Square has been assisting its tenants to facilitate protective measures such as the use of disposable utensils, installing hand sanitizer stations and creating a contactless order and payment system with QR code menus.

A roster of summer entertainment programs is also featured, including a weekend DJ night at Spot Dessert Bar and live music performances at seafood barbeque joint Hope to See You.

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The city’s property titans are giving back.

F&T Group is paying its award-winning restaurant tenants in Flushing — Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao and Guan Fu Sichuan — to make 1,200 meals for first responders. Executive Helen Lee has delivered some in person.

Also giving back is Rockefeller Group, which is partnering with Nomad’s Bourke Street Bakery to make care packages for frontline heroes.

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Condominium closings are still underway as scheduled at Tangram House South, the first of two luxury residential towers at Tangram — the 1.2 million square foot mixed-use development that’s completely transforming the Flushing lifestyle — with buyers now able to close virtually on their home. Several units have closed over the last few weeks alone, including a highly-anticipated penthouse.

First closings at Tangram House South began in November and the building is now nearly sold out. Tangram House South offers stunning apartments showcasing Manhattan-caliber finishes and spectacular private amenities. The building is comprised of a collection of studio to three-bedroom residences and is designed by Margulies Hoelzli Architecture with interiors carefully crafted by award-winning architect and designer Jean-Gabriel Neukomm.

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F&T Group has partnered up with Asians in America (AIA), a charitable organization founded by Democratic Assembly candidate Steven Lee, to purchase and deliver over 1,200 meals from both Flushing’s most popular restaurants and food tenants in its mixed-use properties. Their efforts have allowed workers at the 109th Precinct, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Queens, and local fire departments to enjoy meals from TKK Fried Chicken, Spot Dessert Bar, Hope to See You, Szechuan Mountain House, PappaRich Flushing, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, and Guan Fu Sichuan.

A Flushing grassroots organization founded by state Assembly candidate Steven Lee donated 600 meals this past weekend to area first responders and frontline workers and plans to donate another 600 meals this upcoming week.

Asians in America (AiA) teamed up with local restaurants and business leaders to create meals with participation from seven area establishments. The group donated these meals to the 109th Precinct, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and local fire departments.

The efforts are funded by donations and the group has set up a Go Fund Me to collect donations. The first 1200 meals were funded by a local real estate development firm F&T Group.

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Prior to the coronavirus outbreak that has upended the daily lives of millions of New Yorkers, a $1 billion development and rezoning plan along the Flushing Creek waterfront was one of the most talked-about stories in Queens.

For F&T Group, one of the three developers, the waterfront is the next step in the “evolution” of Downtown Flushing, F&T’s Chief Investment Officer Richard Siu told the Eagle in a sit-down interview.

“The waterfront does not look like anywhere else in Downtown Flushing,” Siu said, noting that it is the last area of Downtown Flushing that hasn’t yet been built out.

F&T and the other two members of FWRA, United Construction & Development Group and the Young Nian Group, would create a 13-tower, mixed-use complex of housing, hotels, offices and shops across the 29 acres of mostly unutilized land. Most of the land can be built “as-of-right,” meaning that the developers do not need a land use variance or rezoning to build the bulk of the project. The rezoning encompasses a section of the land that developers say is needed to make the project flow together better.

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Since 2009, developers have built 3,075 new condo units in Flushing, second only to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in terms of condo construction citywide, according to Nancy Packes Data Services.

“I remember a decade ago when people were embarrassed about living in Flushing,” said Helen Lee, an executive vice president with F & T Group, one of the developers of Tangram, a 1.2 million-square-foot, mixed-use complex named after the Chinese puzzle.

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Goldfish Swim School, the learn-to-swim franchise with over 100 locations nationwide, signed their first indoor shopping mall location at Tangram, the 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use development transforming the Flushing lifestyle.

“Tangram is the ideal development to raise a family with recreational activities at their fingertips in Downtown Flushing,” said Robert Wineman, partner in BHB Group, the owner of Goldfish Swim School – Flushing at Tangram.

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FLUSHING, Queens (WABC) -- New Yorkers know that Flushing has an abundance of Chinese restaurants - and among them is one that is focused on fish.

Once you enter 'Grill Master,' on 133-42 39th Avenue you are greeted by a dragon, but it is the fish that will entice you back. The fish swim in tanks and are caught on the spot and are grilled and then steamed in any number of sauces.

There is a wide array of skewers and beef dishes - scallops and oysters are cooked on the grill. However, the large majority of people come for the fish.

Once the fish are caught, they are scaled. Striped bass is butterflied and then placed in a spicy marinade. The bass is then placed into a grill contraption and into a sideways grill. The cooked fish then goes onto a bed of onion and vegetables. A flavorful sauce then goes on top. You can also opt for two flavors at once to accommodate a variety of tastes.

Grill Master is located in the One Fulton Square Development - one of the many new buildings in Flushing - a neighborhood that is offering a wider variety of Asian food options as it grows.

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A celebrated Queens artist has covered the scaffolding surrounding Flushing’s incoming mega-development, the Tangram, with a colorful illustrated mural that serves as a homage to the neighborhood.

Artist Lisk Feng created the 291-foot-long installation around the Tangram construction site at 133-36 37th Ave. with illustrations celebrating the generations of immigrants that have given the neighborhood its vibrant food and culture scene.

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Popular fitness chain Orangetheory is expanding to Flushing, Queens with an outpost at Tangram, one of the largest new developments in the neighborhood, the developers announced this week.

The Boca Raton, Fla.-based workout franchise inked a 10-year, 3,200-square-foot lease for a retail space in the project at 37-12 Prince Street. Asking rent in the transaction wasn’t disclosed. Orangetheory will open in the summer of 2020.

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Tangram Tower – Flushing’s office condominium located within the 1.2 million s/f mixed-use Tangram development – has commenced closings and move-ins are now underway, the developers have announced.

“We are thrilled to welcome businesses to their new home at Tangram Tower in the new heart of Downtown Flushing in the neighborhood’s 39th Avenue corridor,” said Helen Lee, Executive Vice President of F&T Group, which is developing Tangram with SCG America. “Over 80 percent sold, Tangram Tower is the first building to be completed, marking a significant milestone for the project and for the neighborhood overall as a testament to the demand for class-A office space in one of the City’s fastest growing commercial districts.”

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A partnership between New York-based developers F&T Group has opened Tangram Tower, an 85,000-square-foot office building within the Tangram mixed-use development in Queens. The building is currently 80 percent sold to medical practitioners and other professionals. Tangram Tower offers access to the 1.2 million-square-foot Tangram development’s two residential towers and hotel, as well as an array of retail and culinary options. Margulies Hoelzli Architecture designed the development.

Revered Flushing SOUP DUMPLING SHOP Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao — which was deemed CLOSED in May — will resurrect in a new space this fall.

The longstanding beloved restaurant is receiving “a major upgrade” and reopening within One Fulton Square at THE CORNER OF PRINCE STREET AND 39TH AVENUE in downtown Flushing, according to a spokesperson. General manager Eddie Zheng tells Eater the restaurant is doubling its size with a new 5,100-square-foot space.

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All 132 units boast interiors by JG Neukomm Architecture. efficient layouts, elegant lines, incredible light, and views of the Manhattan skyline or lush gardens. Additional features include ceilings up to 11 feet high, French oak floors, in-unit washer/dryers, walk-in closets, baths with elegantly designed features, and kitchens with custom cabinetry and Miele appliances. Many apartments have private balconies, and studios come with the option to buy fully built out with custom furniture.

Tangram House West has an 8,000-square-foot health and wellness club includes a 60-foot-long indoor saltwater lap pool, an indoor vitality pool, and spa facilities with sauna and salt room. Additional amenities include a one-acre garden with skylight, a Japanese sand garden with class area, a 3,500-square-foot teahouse-inspired Pavilion with seating lounges and reflection areas, a library and lounge, indoor and outdoor children’s play areas, a dog run, an outdoor tennis court, and outdoor grills with seating and dining areas.

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Another big-deal Chinese import is heading to Flushing: Massive restaurant chain Xiao Long Kan Hot Pot will plant a 5,000-square-foot location in a glitzy new complex next summer.

The restaurant famous for its spicy Sichuan-style hot pot has over 800 stores around the world, but this will be its first in North America. It’ll be housed within Tangram, a nearly completed 1.2 million-square-foot development made up of retail stores, a hotel, offices, and condos, as well as a food hall and beer garden.

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Restaurateur Todd Leong, owner of Lucky Rice as well as Leaf Bar & Lounge, will open The Beer Assembly, a 3,550-square-foot beer garden at Tangram. The 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use development is located in Flushing. Developed by F&T Group and Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), Tangram features residential, office, retail and hospitality uses, including a 24,000-square-foot food hall that will be positioned adjacent to the beer garden. The opening is slated for early 2020.