Want to Sell Luxury? Look to the Silver Screen

The Marx

By Jeffrey Steele, Contributing Writer

New York—Residences in The Marx, the first luxury condominium development in Astoria’s newly designated Kaufman Arts District, have gone on sale. Brokerage Modern Spaces has been tapped as exclusive sales agent for The Marx, a seven-story structure offering 33 one- and two-bedroom units. Prices start in the $600,000s, and two-bedrooms are priced below $1 million.

The Kaufman Arts District is a one-of-a-kind, live-work-play enclave in the dynamic Astoria neighborhood. By naming the condominium structure The Marx, Kaufman Astoria Studios and Procida Companies offered a nod to the property’s historic location as the site where the Marx Brothers filmed their legendary screen comedies Animal Crackers and Coconuts.

“Most of the early buyers are local residents who are already familiar with the great location and see the tremendous value The Marx offers,” Modern Spaces CEO Eric Benaim told MHN, adding that one-fifth of the 33 homes have already sold.

The design by architects Fogarty Finger and the location in the heart of Astoria are two of the most appealing aspects to early buyers, Benaim added.

Among building amenities are a rooftop terrace with gas Weber grills, private bike room, fitness room, virtual doorman security system and laundry facilities.

Residences at The Marx are characterized by sophisticated open layouts, hardwood floors and, in many residences, private terraces. Kitchens offer custom cabinetry, waterfall Caesarstone countertops, breakfast bars, Bosch appliances and integrated Liebherr refrigerators. Tranquil bathrooms provide Caesarstone countertops and ceramic wall and floor tile. Master bathrooms feature rain-head and hand-held glass-enclosed showers and heated towel bars.

“The Kaufman Arts District is an established, dynamic neighborhood that gives people access to the best creative institutions the city has to offer,” Benaim said. “Living at The Marx presents a unique opportunity to move into a vibrant Astoria neighborhood rich with amenities, dining and service retail to serve the families that have long called the area home.

“We are very excited that The Marx has appealed to so many buyers. It’s the first luxury development that has opened since the area was designated the Kaufman Arts District and shares the same streets where popular shows such as Orange is the New Black, Nurse Jackie and Sesame Street are filmed. We think the building, like its entertainment neighbors, will be a big hit for many different types of buyers.”

The Kaufman Arts District is a hub of creative institutions such as Kaufman Astoria Studios, one of the world’s oldest continuously operated motion picture studios. Also gracing the district are The Museum of the Moving Image and the Queens Council on the Arts.