LIC BANK BUILDING BECOMES DANCE PARTY VENUE THANKS TO ROCKROSE DEVELOPMENT

Aug. 6, 2011 - The Real Deal

A vacant Long Island City bank building and adjacent parking lot have been transformed into a dance and swim party venue called the Palms, featuring dumpster pools, cocktails and music, the New York Daily News reported.

Rockrose Development saw a similar project by an arts group called Chashama at the Donnell Library building on 53rd Street, and contacted the group about bringing a similar experience to the lot at 26-01 Jackson Avenue and three other possible spaces in the area.

“We wanted to activate the area and get some life going in these empty buildings,” said Patricia Dunphy, a senior vice president with Rockrose, which has a 31-story residential building, the Club by Rockrose, in the neighborhood at 4705 Center Boulevard. “There’s a lot of folks living in Long Island City that are anxious to have things to do.”

The bank has had a makeover to look like a hotel lobby. It’s been painted in yellow and white stripes.

Kim Schnaubert, Chashama’s development director said the group is in discussions over potential projects at the other Long Island City sites