bring people together. The Collective
has been building co-living spaces across
London since 2010, and now, it’s transforming
the 125-room Paper Factory into
its first U.S. location — right here in Long
Island City. It has plans to relaunch the
space this month as The Collective Paper
Factory, a short-stay co-living space.
The Courtyard, with its modern, getaway
vibe, was the perfect way to make use of the
outdoor space in the meantime: “We wanted
16 SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 9
to take advantage of the summer months
and activate a space for locals and visitors
while the rest of our space is still in transition,”
said Reza Merchant, CEO and founder
of The Collective.
The Courtyard will be open throughout
September and into October, and as it’s
an outdoor space, each day is weatherpermitting.
No closing date for the pop-up
has been announced yet.
“We wanted The Courtyard to be a space
that balances intrigue with respite — that
encourages casual conversation, relaxation
and an excellent drink without fuss. We
hope we can become a late afternoon and
evening stomping grounds at the center of
Astoria and Long Island City’s kaleidoscopic
cultural offerings,” Merchant said.
The Collective has a strong interest in
keeping the new hotspot local and giving
back to the community in which it thrives.
Since its opening on Aug. 1, The Courtyard
organized for a food truck by Souvlaki GR,
a Greek restaurant on the Lower East Side,
to be stationed right in front of the outdoor
oasis every Thursday through Sunday. The
restaurant and truck are owned by Abby
Sierros, Pavlos Sierros and Kostas Plagos —
all of whom grew up in Astoria.
“Our seasonal pop-up is a celebration of
local community, pulling inspiration from
some of our favorite outposts across Long
Island City. Souvlaki GR, who have brought
their food truck to our spot, are Astoria
natives. We've been enjoying sharing this
FOOD + DRINK
Photos courtesy of The Collective