A major mixed-use development is reshaping the skyline along Northern Boulevard in Flushing.
Construction of The Sunlight, a 17-story tower blending residential, retail, and community spaces, has passed the halfway mark as it rises at 138-18 Northern Blvd. The project, expected to be completed in 2026, represents a significant investment in the neighborhood’s growth and modernization.
The completed structure will be 197 feet tall and span around 300,000 square feet. It will have 127 condominiums, with an average unit size of 740 square feet. The Sunlight will also feature 65,000 square feet of community facility space, 47,000 square feet of retail space, a 30-foot-long rear yard, and 287 enclosed parking spaces.
A dense assembly of formwork can be seen supporting the upper levels of the L-shaped reinforced concrete superstructure of the tower. The Sunlight’s 2-story podium is almost finished being put together and enclosed by the construction crews. Located along Northern Boulevard, the podium’s facade features gray aluminum paneling and double-height windows. This same envelope is already being added to the main tower’s southern and western faces at the lower levels. Workers are also in the process of using rigs to assemble the framework for the podium’s ground-floor canopies.
Based on the renderings of the tower, The Sunlight will have a series of stepped setbacks leading to the roof parapet on its western wing. Both the setbacks and roof will be lined with railings for terraces. Three columns of balconies are also planned for the broad northern face of the stepped wing. A green roof will be featured at the top of the podium.
The development, located on an interior lot between Bowne Street and Union Street, was previously occupied by a low-rise commercial property before being demolished. Jingang Northern LLC is the current owner of the development.
The construction company Sunlight Development is working on building the tower. In April 2024, the real estate agency S3 Capital Partners provided Sunlight Development with a $64 million refinancing and construction loan for this project. Sunlight Development had previously received a $28 million acquisition loan in 2022.
The estimated cost for this project is $220 million. The Sunlight is expected to be completed in April 2026.
