By Madina Toure
Residents and developers of the One Fulton Square mixed-use development in Flushing say the recent addition of several new restaurants, bars and retail spaces are adding to the complex’s diverse shopping experience.
Located at 39-16 Prince St., One Fulton Square includes the 168-room Hyatt Hotel, which opened last June, 22 office units, 19 commercial retail units, 43 luxury residential units. The developers, F&T Group and Shanghai Construction Group America, broke ground on the project in March 2011.
Rong Restaurant, Good Harvest, Presso Coffee, Leaf Bar & Lounge, Iki Modern Japanese Cuisine and the Coop have all opened in the complex within the last five months.
Helen Lee, executive vice president of F&T Group, said Flushing has always been known as a “cheap eats” neighborhood, but notes that One Fulton Square offers more upscale offerings.
“We wanted to do a curated collection of really authentic restaurant concepts that are mostly imported from China, because I think the demographics here are changing,” Lee said.
King Mei, owner of Good Harvest, said the restaurant specializes in seafood. He said the development’s appeal is that it is comfortable.
“When you want to eat something, you come over here,” Mei said. “It’s more comfortable when you eat here than at other restaurants. It’s more high-class.”
Wen Wang, a barista at Presso Coffee, grew up in Chinatown and has been living in Bayside. He saidOne Fulton Square is part of the continuing development of Flushing, and that the the café appeals to young people.
“I think people like this sort of vibe—a little bit kitschy, a little bit vintage,” Wang said.
Leesang Wang, 23, a student at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in East Elmhurst, said she appreciates the relaxing, modern nature of Presso Coffee. “I love the style and I love the space,” Wang said.
College Point resident Amy Su, 30, said she felt like she was in the city while drinking a cocktail at the Leaf Bar & Lounge, which includes a rooftop and outdoor terrace.
“It’s really good,” Su said. “I like the design. It doesn’t feel like Flushing. It just seems very city-like and it’s very modern.”
But Flushing resident Tony Hua, 24, who was invited to eat at the Iki restaurant by his friends, said he thinks One Fulton Square is meant to appeal to the wealthy patrons of the Hyatt Hotel.
“The people living in the hotel, they got money so that’s why they want to open fancy restaurants,” Hua said.
Incheon Seafood Restaurant, Papparich, Mister Hotpot, T-Mobile, Equal Care Pharmacy, MC Hair Artistic Inc., New York Lady’s Spa, Dejavu Tailoring, Diamonds Direct and Shiseido will be opening at the complex in the future.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
