Arris Lofts at 27-28 Thomson Ave, Courthouse Square, LIC

I visited Arris Lofts a long time ago, back in the day when they were still cool. IE before all the Arris bashing began on curbed.com. I can’t really say I blame the bashers, since the building had some ‘curiosities’ even before we heard about the hookers.

For those not in the know, Arris Lofts hit the market last year, and wins the prize for being the most controversial development project in LIC. What they did right: they didn’t knock the building down, but renovated that gorgeous, odd-shaped industrial building; they emphasized large windows and the high ceilings (both already there, but Arris needs points so let’s give them another one), they used Costas Kondylis. Well that last one remains to be seen, because even on my visit I was very confused by 1BR’s with 2.5 bathrooms, and the kitchen being just a console on the living room wall.

Anyway, after all the hoopla, turns out Arris Lofts is still buzzing through the wire, and word’s not so good. Except for this word.

• Reader Rant: ‘Revolt Brewing’ at LIC’s Arris Lofts [Curbed]

• Arris Lofts Website

There's going to be lots of real estate activity in LIC this weekend. I can do a better job of predicting that than the weather people have been doing lately. And I'm not even using fancy technological modes of divination either—just the listing websites.

Drivers, just don't take my parking spot please. And if you're coming from Long Island, or some other land of driveways, take a few moments to teach yourself how to parallel park. I've been witnessing some seriously bad parking jobs, from drivers outright smashing into other cars, to people literally parking so badly they take up multiple precious spots. Sure, you'll have a garage when you move into your luxury condo, but in the meantime you know... show some respect to the LIC curbside.

Here's a round up of this weekend's Open Houses »

Seems there could be a whole blog just dedicated to Name That Development in Hunters Point, considering how many there are.

Well, regardless, here’s another one discovered: 44-30 Purvis (aka Purves) St. This site also wraps around to Thompson, facing a very notorious neighbor: Arris Lofts. Maybe the hookers will expand their territory? Well, they’ll have to wait a while, because it looks like the development site is still up for sale. Here’s the listing, as advertised by Greiner-Maltz.

For some more shots of the dev site, including a peek through the fence, check out the flickr set.

Not much has really changed since last weekend's open houses - same developments still on the market. Some of them seem to have sold a few. That's about it. Overall, we're looking at the same story, except the weekend weather is supposed to be sunny and in the high 40's. Have fun.

Powerhouse 50-09 2nd St, Hunters Point 19 still available Prudential Douglas Elliman Open House: By appointment only

Complete list of this weekend's open houses »

The weather’s not looking so good for this weekend, but we know there’s a bunch of die-hard condo buyers out there. Same round-up as last week and the week before. Don’t know what’s going on at the Foundry LIC - last week they had 12 available and this week they have 14. If anyone takes any good pics, send them our way.

The Foundry LIC 2-40 51st Ave, Hunters Point 14 still available Prudential Douglas Elliman Open House Sun, By appointment only

Complete list of this weekend’s open houses »

Is Clay Aiken buying at the Arris Lofts?

Aah, somebody please save our souls asap, because we’re descending into the lower depths of digital media. It’s totally not our fault though! Upon hearing the news that Clay Aiken is rumored to be in contract at the Arris Lofts, and after having a few glasses of vino… we um, had some fun in photoshop last night. But don’t be distracted from the morsel of the story. Is Clay Aiken moving to Arris Lofts? One of the most controversial new developments? Does that mean LIC is going to be invaded by a bunch of gaggling Claymates?

While you’re pondering those very important questions, we’ll also quietly deliver the news that other celebrities rumored to have bought at Arris are Placido Domingo & DJ Danny Tenaglia.

Be his Valentine. On sale at Cherished Objects @ 41-24 29th St, LIC.

Buildings going bye-bye. Some Chocolate in the house! And Arris… aah Arris - what else can really be said? Haven’t we all said enough? Guess not.

• Comfort Inn LIC sold for $20.5M [CoStar]

• Standard Motor Products sells headquarter building for $40.6M [Daily News]

• Chocolate Spoon Coffee House opens in Astoria [Queens Gazette]

• Day of Service in LIC [Queens Chronicle]

• Arris Lofts renter wants to clear up a few things [Curbed]

Anyone remember this condo sale at the Arris Lofts last year? At $2.995M, it’s the most expensive condo sale in LIC (probably also Queens). So who bought it?

Well earlier this week, we loudly delivered the rumor that Clay Aiken is in contract at Arris, and downplayed the purchases by a couple other celebrities. The Residence 800, as it’s known, was bought by DJ Danny Tenaglia. We’re imagining the sick parties he’ll throw on that terrace.

In curbed’s coverage of the Clay Aiken rumor, there was an interesting line:

…this could be some weird defining moment in the recent history of Long Island City as an emerging development hotspot.

Well, LIC’s been an emerging developing hotspot for a long time now, but for most of the last few years (or 10) the progress lagged far behind the hype. And still does. Amenities are barely catching up, though they’re definitely moving along. For those of us who live here and are witnessing firsthand the insane transformation of LIC, I don’t think it comes as a huge surprise that celebrities would consider this quiet, tourist-free neighborhood full of luxury development. Though, if they keep moving here, it might not be tourist-free for very long.

Arris Lofts, Court Sq

Arris Lofts is a building cursed with a few dark marketing clouds - those elephants and giraffes started the whole mess, which fueled further crucifixion in the form of hooker rumors, and general bashing for the sport of it.

Yet despite the bad PR, Arris has quietly blossomed like the daffodils in their enclosed courtyard. I visited the building once before today, while under construction and it sounded like a total disaster. (More unfortunate PR.) But the new inhabitants have lavishly and lovingly graced their abundantly windowed, uber-sunny, lofty lofts in various nouveau NYC styles, and created a growing and growingly tight knit community of well-heeled creative professionals. That, a pool, a gym, a gigantic Gristedes on the way in the ground floor, and great outdoor space let’s just say…it did not suck.

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