Summary
Elmhurst is a complicated neighborhood in western Queens. It has come a long way since troubles in the 1980s, even longer since its colonial founding in the 1650s. Elmhurst is a thriving region of multifamily homes, co-op, and apartment buildings. Immigrants, especially from Asia and Latin America, have made Elmhurst the most diverse part of Queens.
History
One of the first European towns in Queens was present-day Elmhurst. Its original name in 1652 was Middleburg, and then in 1662 it was called New Towne (soon just Newtown). When Queens became part of New York City in 1898, the name changed to Elmhurst, at the bequest of Cord Meyer developers, in order to distance it from polluted Newtown Creek. Moreover, the area developed rapidly in the early 20th century, spurred by the subway’s reach into Queens. A mostly Italian and Jewish neighborhood, it began to change in the 1960s as families left for the suburbs, replaced by immigrants from around the world.
Boundaries
Elmhurst is located in western Queens. Roosevelt Avenue marks the neighborhood’s northern boundary with Jackson Heights. To the east, you will find Corona at Junction Boulevard. Woodside is to the west along 74th Street and the LIRR tracks. Consequently, Elmhurst dips south of Queens Boulevard to the Long Island Expressway, bordering Rego Park, Middle Village, and Maspeth. The area below Queens Boulevard, especially south of the LIRR tracks, is a quieter region of row houses and multi-family homes. The neighborhood used to extend further south to Eliot Avenue, but a zip code change added a small portion of “South Elmhurst” to Middle Village.
Subways and Transportation
Elmhurst boasts the most subway options in Queens outside of Long Island City. The available subways include the 7 train, which runs locally above Roosevelt Avenue, the express E and F at Broadway/74th Street, and the R and V trains that run local down Broadway and out along Queens Boulevard. Typically, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach Midtown Manhattan.
Main thoroughfare Queens Boulevard is busy, unpredictable, and essential for connectivity. There is easy access to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the Long Island Expressway. Neighborhood streets, particularly the commercial heart of Broadway, can become congested quickly during rush hours.
Real Estate and Apartments
Multi-family homes on compact lots are the most common types of housing in Elmhurst. You will find a significant number of four-to-six story apartment buildings, along with some co-ops and newer condos along the main roads. Many of these multifamily homes are owner-occupied rentals, and “Fedders-style” housing has gained popularity. While you can occasionally find blocks of early 20th-century row houses that are stunning, some may also be in disrepair.
Parks, Landmarks, and Things to Do
Elmhurst unfortunately faces a scarcity of parks. Moore Homestead Park offers a few acres of busy blacktop, featuring handball, basketball, and quieter games of chess and Chinese chess. Moreover, for those interested in architecture or cultural diversity, the neighborhood’s religious buildings are intriguing. This includes Christian churches with colonial roots whose congregations are Taiwanese, historic St. Adalbert Church, the primary Thai Buddhist temple in New York City, a Jain temple, a Chinese Chan Buddhist hall, and the beautiful Hindu Geeta Temple.
Restaurants
A lively, diverse population makes Elmhurst one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in New York City for dining experiences. You will discover exceptional Thai, Indonesian, and Argentinian cuisine here.
Taste Good is a welcoming, delicious spot offering Singapore-style noodle soups and meals—a must-try for food enthusiasts visiting Queens. Right next door, Hong Kong Supermarket has a fantastic variety of products.
In close proximity to the Queens Center Mall, the Georgia Diner is a local favorite with long-standing popularity. Ping’s Seafood is also a cherished destination for Chinese dim sum and seafood lovers.
Main Streets and Shopping
Elmhurst is home to the Queens Center Mall and the Queens Plaza Mall, making its stretch of Queens Boulevard one of the largest shopping districts in the borough. The neighborhood’s commercial heart can be found along Broadway, especially centered at Whitney, where you will find numerous Chinese and Southeast Asian stores and restaurants. Under the elevated tracks of the 7 train along Roosevelt Avenue, another bustling commercial strip showcases Latino shops, clubs, bars, and eateries shared with Jackson Heights.
For a truly relaxing neighborhood experience in Elmhurst, the small shops and eateries along thriving Woodside Avenue, near Elmhurst Hospital Center, offer a charming escape.
