New York real estate: Howard Beach
Photo credit: Katya Pronin | Lenny's Clam Bar decor expresses the Italian flavor of the place. Originally shot on July 13, 2008 and published in the City Living section on Howard Beach in amNewYork on July 17, 2008.
Photos
For better and for worse, Howard Beach, Queens, has long been a neighborhood on the periphery and an area defined by sharp contrasts. It's where tradition is confronted by modernism, and old and new stand side by side on the borough's border with Brooklyn.
In some cases, the clash between classic and contemporary is very explicit. The peninsula is bisected by the Shell Bank Basin, which runs parallel to Cross Bay Boulevard, the neighborhood's principal commercial strip. And to the east and west of the inlet are what locals refer to as "old" and "new" Howard Beach, respectively.
"I've been here 30 years and I've definitely seen a lot of changes," said resident Sandy Calderaro. "It's a good, safe neighborhood on both sides [of the inlet]. It's all my neighborhood and here, everyone knows everyone."
Though it was primarily a beach town at the turn of the 20th century, Howard Beach is now host to a very wide variety of architectural styles and sizes for year-round residents. Old Howard Beach has more classic single-family residences and bungalows that used to be New York summer homes. New Howard Beach, at one time a vast marshland, was filled in by developers and then populated with bigger, more modern looking structures on larger pieces of property.
But this dichotomy has allowed the area to maintain certain aspects of its unique flavor without becoming stagnant or boring. And a delightfully active bike lane runs all the way across Howard Beach, taking its passengers on a beautiful tour through Queens' history, from the weatherworn lawn jockeys of yester-year to the burnished Grecian and Christian statues of late. But bringing it all together is the artery known as Cross Bay Boulevard
"Cross Bay Boulevard is Howard Beach," said John McCusker, a resident of six years. "Not just the shopping and the restaurants, but everyone's social life is there too." But friendly as it is, some younger residents take a polar opposite view of life on Cross Bay.
"There's nothing really to do," said Samantha Albergo, 18, who works in Howard Beach but lives just to the north in Ozone Park. "It's a pain to go out every night, though it's pretty easy to escape with all the transportation."
Over the years, there have been several high profile racial incidents in the neighborhood that have demonstrated a strong, sometimes violent clash of differences -- an unfortunate reality the locals would prefer not to talk about. But it is an otherwise close-knit, welcoming and safe community of contrasts.
The Basics
Find it: Howard Beach is on the border of Brooklyn and Queens and is bounded by the Belt Parkway to the north, 102nd and 104th streets to the east, 78th Street to the west, and Jamaica Bay to the south.
Schools: P.S. 146 The Howard Beach School, 9801 159th Ave., (718) 843-4880; P.S. 207, 4011 Fillmore Ave., (718) 645-6291; P.S. 232 The Walter Ward School, 153-23 83rd St., (718) 848-9247; Our Lady of Grace School, 10005 159th Ave., (718) 848-7440; Saint Helen School, 8309 157th Ave., (718) 835-4155.
Transportation: Howard Beach is home to a variety of trains, plains and automobiles and buses. It has the Howard Beach-JFK stop on the A train and is also the location of the AirTrain, which is the straphanger's route of choice to the airport. Route 27 and the Belt Parkway make it accessible by car and the Q11, 21, 41 and 53 buses move throughout.
Police: The 106th Precinct covers the larger areas of Howard Beach, Ozone Park and South Ozone Park, which are all made up of smaller neighborhoods.
Crime Statistics: The 106th precinct reported three murders, 20 rapes, 316 robberies, 197 felony assaults and 335 burglaries in 2007. Year to date, the 106th precinct has reported five murders, 14 rapes, 171 robberies, 82 felony assaults and 142 burglaries.
Post Office: 16050 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 848-5491; 10212 159th Ave., (718) 848-0667.
Libraries: The Queens Borough Public Library, 9206 156th Ave., (718) 641-7086.
To Do
One of the only complaints by locals is that there is not much to do in Howard Beach itself. There are a fair amount of activities but they usually require a short trip out of the area. Luckily, the great transportation options in this part of southern Queens make it a cinch.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area at the end of Cross Bay Boulevard, this small island occupies the center of scenic Jamaica Bay. Its 9,000 acres are home to more than 325 species of bird. You can also hike, fish or take a tour, though the bird-watching is pretty great. (718) 318-4340.
Frenasia
This is an Asian fusion restaurant by day but it doubles as one of the few true nightspots in Howard Beach. They have a wide selection of food, a full service bar and karaoke. To top it all off, they have a large outdoor seating area that overlooks the inlet. 163-35 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 322-7690.
Frank M. Charles Memorial Park
The southernmost tip of old Howard Beach is capped by this large open park that seems to be active at all hours of the day. They have three baseball diamonds, five tennis courts and some quiet beaches overlooking Jamaica Bay. 165th Avenue.
Aqueduct Racetrack
Originally called the "Big A" when it opened in 1894, the Aqueduct is a major South Ozone Park destination. Admission is free most of the racing season, but bring cash if you plan to make any bets. No credit cards are accepted. 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., (718) 641-4700.
To Eat:
Of all Howard Beach's attractions, the locals seem to be most proud of the food. And even though the population is almost 50 percent Italian, Cross Bay Boulevard is a veritable international smorgasbord.
Mahogany Steakhouse
For steaks and seafood, this spacious yet comfy dining room is the place to be. They serve lunch and dinner, including entrees of prime aged beef, pork chops and fish. And a specialty out of their full-service bar is the giant martini, which comes in more than 20 flavors. 161-50 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 323-8400.
Lenny's Clam Bar
This Howard Beach fixture is the gold standard for Italian and seafood in southern Queens. The stuffed shrimp with crab meat and the fried scallops are just a few of the dishes that come highly recommended. And the only thing longer than their roster of celebrity customers is their list of specialty pastas. 161-03 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 845-5100.
Sakura Japanese Restaurant
There is some great Japanese food in this small but comfortable restaurant, but the prices can't be beat. They have a big selection of sushi and sashimi a la carte and about 25 regular or hand rolls under $5. 158-38 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 323-8827.
La Torre Pasticceria
While ambling down the boulevard after a leisurely Sunday lunch, this is the place to stop for dessert. Every cake, cookie, pie and pastry in this Italian bakery is made in-house and they also serve an assortment of coffees and teas. The woman behind the counter swears the tiramisu is tops. 158-12 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 843-2306.
To Shop
The shopping in Howard Beach consists of many local family-run businesses tightly packed into small but neat storefronts along Cross Bay Boulevard. And several of the stores are rare gems that attract visitors from all over the tri-state area.
Christine
Don't be fooled by the crowded storefront or the narrow isles inside. It's only because the selection of daytime and evening wear that populates this shop is enormous. They also sell women's suits, accessories and dresses of all lengths and styles. 162-26C Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 529-5140.
Marlowe Jewelers
Italian watches are their stock and trade but Marlowe Jewelers does more than just barter bling. They also specialize in remounting diamonds and remodeling jewelry to make your old ice nice again. 160-55 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 323-8730.
Midnight Lace
This is the only place for miles to get both high-quality intimate apparel and plain old comfortable undershorts, but it is the only place you'll need. They have fine lingerie, bridal wear and an assortment of adult novelty items, though the swimwear is the biggest seller this time of year. 161-26 Cross Bay Blvd., (718) 641-5114.
The Buzz: Well, the buzz around Howard Beach is actually more like a roar.
"The airplanes are still too noisy," said Scott Federbush, co-owner of a lingerie store on Cross Bay Blvd. "You used to be able to tell the time by the roar of the engines every couple of minutes."
With fewer flights leaving and entering JFK Airport due to difficulties within the airline industry, the rumbles that fill the streets below are fewer to the delight of many.
And so, countless conversations -- even some regarding the aforementioned noisy airplanes -- will continue to be interrupted.
Real Estate
There are many types of homes in Howard Beach including capes, ranches, Tudors, hi-ranches, custom homes, splits, Colonials, two-family and a few three-family homes. Naturally older, plainer homes occupy old Howard Beach while a spurt of big single-family homes and a few McMansions fill out new Howard Beach.
"There are always people buying and selling homes here. Most of the buyers are people who already live here," said Steven Pacchiano, an agent with Connexion I Real Estate.
"Either younger people who have lived here all there lives, just getting married and looking for their own home or people who already own a home and looking for a second or third," he said. Pacchiano explained that most of the people moving out are retirees going to Long Island for bigger properties.
To Buy:
Hi ranch in New Howard Beach with four bedrooms, three baths, on a 40 foot by 100 foot lot. New kitchen and baths. Sunk-in living room, dining room, and in-ground pool: $789,000
New construction two-family home in the old side of town, with two bedrooms, two baths; the other unit is three bedrooms with two baths, with a finished basement, sitting across a park: $749,000
Low ranch in New Howard Beach, sitting on a large lot that could be subdivided: $1,050,000
Low ranch in New Howard Beach, with four bedrooms two-and-a-half baths, on a 40 foot by 100 foot lot, with a finished basement: $649,000
Colonial in Old Howard Beach, with new kitchen and baths, four bedrooms, three baths, on a 40 by 100 foot lot, with a finished basement and pool: $699,000
Contact: Steven Pacchiano at Connexion I Real Estate, 161-14A Cross Bay Blvd.; 718-273-3800
Q and A:
John Grillo, a well-dressed gentleman who didn't seem to have a care in the world, was just leaving Charles Park after an afternoon rendezvous with his grandchildren. Grillo has lived in Howard Beach since his son bought a house in 1970.
Q: What is your impression of Howard Beach?
A: Me? Oh, it's beautiful! The park here, the new church, the people are friendly and the restaurants are very good here. Very good.
Q: What's not to like in Howard Beach?
A: Well, you know, a few of the Italian crime families used to be here back in the day, but that's not a problem any more. There are fights and things like that once in a while, but it's the same anywhere else. It's not really a problem.
Q: Why do you think people should come see Howard Beach?
A: They should come here because the people in the neighborhood are friendly, the facilities for the kids are great and the homes are beautiful. They should just move here!
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