Environmental Remediation and Brownfield Leadership
Eastern Emerald is also one of New York’s most successful environmental remediation initiatives. Under the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), the developer entered into a Brownfield Cleanup Agreement in 2014 and secured a Certificate of Completion (CoC) in 2020. The cleanup achieved Track 1 Unrestricted Use standards, the highest level of remediation recognized under state regulations. The process included extensive soil excavation, groundwater chemical oxidation, and soil vapor intrusion mitigation, with full regulatory compliance and monitoring oversight.
Verified Brownfield and Clean Energy Incentives
Eastern Emerald has secured the highest levels of environmental and clean energy tax credits available for mixed-use developments in New York City:
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$49,055,198 in Site Preparation Credits
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$35,000,000 in Tangible Property Credits
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$84,055,198 in Total Brownfield Redevelopment Tax Credits
Additional federal clean energy incentives include:
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$3,423,991 in Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
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$1,615,973.80 in Geothermal Investment Tax Credit
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$286,550.40 in EPACT 179D accelerated depreciation
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$5,252,256.78 total present value of geothermal-related tax benefits (assuming an 8% discount rate)
Tax Strategy and Industrial & Commercial Abatement Program (ICAP)
The project participates in the New York City Industrial & Commercial Abatement Program (ICAP), offering substantial post-construction tax relief. With a final estimated market value of $75,000,000 and an assessed taxable value of $33,750,000:
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Initial Tax Liability (Pre-construction): $253,569
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Post-completion Tax Liability: $4,129,312.50
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ICAP Year 1 Abatement: $3,837,708.15
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ICAP Year 1 Property Tax Due: $291,604.35
A Prototype for Sustainable and Intelligent Urban Living
From design vision to policy alignment, Eastern Emerald exemplifies a comprehensive blueprint for future urban development. It is a rare case study that successfully combines climate-responsive architecture, renewable energy systems, brownfield remediation, and innovative public-private financing mechanisms.
The project exemplifies how large-scale, high-density developments can embody net-zero principles, transform waterfront landscapes, and set a new benchmark for intelligent, sustainable urban living.
Eastern Emerald Project
The Eastern Emerald Project is a 25-story, 834,000-square-foot mixed-use development located on Northern Boulevard in Queens. Strategically positioned near LaGuardia Airport and facing the Flushing Bay waterfront, the site occupies a vital node where road, air, and maritime traffic systems intersect. This convergence of circulation networks forms the conceptual foundation of the project, positioning it as a gateway in the city’s urban fabric.
Inspired by the continuous motion and rhythm of nature—such as sea waves, sediment layers, and force fields—the architecture reflects this dynamism through flowing building massing, striped cladding systems, and louvers that echo movement. The fluidity of the site’s surrounding traffic flows is translated into the building’s cascading terraces, layered volumes, and large glazed curtain walls, creating a dialogue between structure and environment.
From a design perspective, the building functions as a convergence point—a vertical junction of movement, energy, and community. Its volumes depart from the southwest corner and progressively interlock in a sculptural rhythm, accommodating the project’s three primary programs: residential, commercial, and community facilities. These volumes flow outward, forming usable terraces and integrated public amenities that open toward the Flushing Bay Promenade. The composition creates a seamless spatial and visual connection to the surrounding natural and urban landscape, amplifying the project’s waterfront identity and ecological relevance.
Zero-Carbon Energy System and Photovoltaic Integration
Eastern Emerald is designed as a fully zero-carbon emission complex. The development integrates a five-layer photovoltaic curtain wall system covering over 200,000 square feet, achieving a total installed capacity of 520.46 kWp. With a U-value of 0.19 Btu/hr-ft² and a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.20, the glass system significantly surpasses NYC energy code standards, delivering exceptional insulation, superior acoustic performance, and long-term energy savings. The building’s solar infrastructure is expected to eliminate approximately 4.3 million pounds of CO₂ emissions over its 35-year lifecycle, while also functioning as a clean energy generator.
Community Geothermal Heating and Full-Cycle Energy Resilience
The project’s geothermal heating system was selected as a winning pilot site by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under its Community Heat Pump Systems initiative. It represents a pioneering approach to neighborhood-scale decarbonization. Utilizing four-pipe technology, ground heat exchangers, and high-efficiency circulation pumps, the system delivers centralized, fossil-fuel-free heating. Emergency power is supplied solely through rechargeable battery packs, eliminating diesel or gas generators and reinforcing a self-sufficient, closed-loop energy model.
