Scarano-designed Vere 26 in Long Island CityGarners Industry and Consumer Raves

NEW YORK, NY—With its icy blue glass curtain wall rising 12 stories, punctuated by a uniquely exposed geometric framework, Vere 26, a luxury condominium development at 26-26 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, Queens, and featuring 43 residences, plus ground floor retail space, is eliciting enthusiastic responses from the architectural community, condominium buyers and even real estate blogs.

Designed by Robert M. Scarano, Jr. AIA, FARA, ALA, the building is one of the most acclaimed condominium projects to be completed in the City in recent years. Architect and author Norval White announced in a New York Times interview last spring that the building would be included in the “2010 AIA Guide to New York City,” the seminal work published every 10 years that defines the most architecturally significant buildings in the city.

“We were able to create a building in an emerging neighborhood that provided me with an architecturally clean palette,” says Scarano, who is president and founder of Scarano Architect PLLC. “There are several new projects in this area that are helping to build a new and exciting community, but this building adds a new sense of glamour and excitement to the mix.”

Since first submitting designs for the project, Scarano has consistently received accolades from his peers, including two prized awards from the National Society of American Registered Architects (SARA), that include a 2008 National Design Award and 2007 New York Council Design Award of Honor. Moreover, the public agrees, as well, because more than 60 percent of the residences have already sold since Vere 26 was introduced to the market in 2009.

With layouts designed by Scarano Architect, the residences are spacious with modern, open kitchens, spa-like bathrooms and ceiling heights ranging from 10-feet- through a soaring 13.5-feet in the penthouses. In addition, floor-to-ceiling windows offer unobstructed vistas of the East River and Manhattan to the west and the sparkling lights of the Citicorp Tower and Queens to the east. Amenities at Vere 26 include an extraordinary state-of-the-art penthouse gym, wraparound rooftop terrace with kitchen and 24/7 concierge services.

Residences are priced at $700 and $800 per square foot and range in size from 470-square-foot studios to 1,190-square-foot two bedroom homes. Many units also include balconies. The developer of the project is 2626 Jackson Ave., LLC.

Founded in 1985 by Robert Scarano, Jr., AIA, FARA, ALA, award-winning Scarano Architect, PLLC is one of New York’s most prolific architecture firms. Over the years, the group has been responsible for the design of hundreds of residential projects, primarily in Brooklyn and Manhattan. In addition to new development projects, Scarano Architect is known for its work with conversions, adaptive re-use and affordable housing projects.  Other segments the firm services include commercial office and retail and institutional.