While the exterior of Radiant makes a bold architectural statement, the interiors offer a serene counterpoint. Our collaboration with the award-winning Paris Forino has resulted in a material palette that balances high-contrast geometry with soft, organic warmth. The Culinary Canvas The kitchens at Radiant serve as the heart of the home, featuring a signature soft-blue glass tile backsplash that reflects the light of the East River. Paired with custom light-oak cabinetry an

Long Island City has long been a hub of industrial grit and modern glass, but Radiant marks a shift toward something more sculptural. Designed by the world-renowned firm ODA , led by Eran Chen, Radiant isn’t just another glass tower—it is a study in dimension. The "More Corners" Philosophy Why settle for a standard box when you can have more? ODA’s design for Radiant focuses on creating a "living facade." By introducing more corners and staggered dimensions, the building of

We just wrapped up an incredible few days at the beautiful Sanctuary at Kiawah Island for The Real Deal’s executive retreat. It wasn’t all just stunning views and coastal breezes—our CEO, Bentley Zhao, was right in the thick of it with fellow industry leaders, diving into "out-there" ideas like Building Robotics, AI-driven pro formas, and the future of luxury development. Between the high-level brainstorming and deep dives into Responsive Architecture, there was plenty of roo

In a recent analysis of Census data, Manhattan and Queens were highlighted as the primary magnets for New York’s management and science professional workforce. But for many of these buyers, the challenge isn't just finding a home—it's finding a home that reflects their lifestyle. The Vision for Centric When we broke ground at 58-01 Queens Blvd , our goal was to create a space that felt like a sanctuary. We knew that our target buyers—doctors, designers, and finance professio

Manhattan and Long Island City see surge in buyers seeking professional-friendly condos. (Courtesy of Rubenstein Public Relations) NEW YORK, NY— Manhattan and Long Island City are drawing the bulk of high-earning, professional buyers as competition intensifies for quality homes in New York City. Ellen Qian, managing director at One Realty Global, said buyers continue to prioritize location and value. “They want a beautiful property they call home,” Qian said. Buyers prior

Ellen Qian, Managing Director at One Realty Global The New York City housing market remains hot, with Brooklyn in particular showing impressive gains. The borough posted median and average apartment prices of $840,056 and just under $1.1 million, according to data from real estate firm Brown Harris Stevens. Both were record highs and were up six percent from 2024. Queens also posted a solid performance, with average apartment prices slightly above 2024 levels at $511,007 and

Twenty-nine years is more than just a number; it’s a testament to resilience, growth, and the incredible community we’ve built together. Last night, the New Empire Group family gathered to celebrate our 29th Anniversary Gala, and the energy in the room was nothing short of inspiring. As we celebrate our 29th year, we do so under the auspicious sign of the Dragon . In our culture, the Dragon represents power, noble ambition, and good fortune—qualities that have defined New Emp

A prolific Kips Bay developer has added four additional buildings in the Manhattan neighborhood to his portfolio. The entity Nere Rose Hill Management, which appears to be affiliated with Bentley Zhao's development and construction management firm New Empire Corp., paid a combined $37.9 million for the quartet of mixed-use properties at 247 E. 31st St. and 563, 567 and 569 Second Ave., records show. Zhao, who used a similarly named entity in 2021 to acquire a nearby site for

UPDATED 7:10 p.m., January 6, 2026: Developer New Empire Corp. paid $38 million to the Marchi family through the entity Marchi Realty Corp. for a development site at the corner of Second Avenue and 31st Street in Kips Bay, Manhattan, in three transactions. To finance the purchase, New Empire Corp. borrowed $24.65 million from Emerald Creek Capital. The properties were marketed for sale as a development site in late 2022, according to a post on Traded NY at that time. In the l