July 22, 2015 By Christian Murray
The residential real estate giant Halstead is opening an office in Long Island City–its first foray into Queens.
The office will be located at 47-12 Vernon Blvd and is expected to open in late August, according to Diane Ramirez, Halstead’s chief executive officer.
Ramirez said that the opening of the Long Island City office is just the beginning of the firm’s entry into Queens. She said the firm is likely to grow in Queens much like it did in Brooklyn.
Halstead, which opened 30 years ago and has 1,200 agents, entered the Brooklyn market 13 years ago and now has six offices in the borough.
“Where better place to start in Queens than in Long Island City,” Ramirez said. “Long Island City is so vibrant right now—the great developers are all here—and it has great access to Manhattan.”
The office will have 18 desks, although Ramirez said that there will probably be more agents working out of the Vernon Blvd location than that. “Agents are typically out showing property and going from appointment to appointment,” she said.
Halstead is entering a competitive market joining Nestseekers, Douglas Elliman, Modern Spaces and Space Market Shop on Vernon Boulevard, with Dream Property located just steps away from Vernon Blvd on 48th Avenue.
However, Ramirez said “We love competition,” adding that Halstead is a “technology focused and marketing focused company and will a wonderful breath of fresh of air in Long Island City.”
