There was a bit of shock and sadness in the area on May 23rd when a Zillow listing featuring beloved neighborhood institution, London Lennie’s was listed as being for sale as a “rare development site” for $6.5M. The listing goes on to say:
In its present state, the assemblage contains an established business and “landmark” since 1959; the top seafood restaurant in Queens; London Lennie's. The site is situated within a R5D with a C1-3 overlay zoning district that allows for the creation of a mixed-use project with the potential to include a mixture of medical, retail, residential, community facility, hotel and/ or office and build up to a 22,000 s/f new building… This redevelopment opportunity provides developers the ability to capitalize on tremendous demand in an area with a scarcity of developable land. The acquisition of 63-36 Woodhaven Boulevard is an ideal opportunity for any investor/developer looking for a sizeable development project within Queens.
We are hoping for the best – that the eventual buyer chooses to keep it a restaurant – but we are bracing for the worst.