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QUEENS WEEKLY, DECEMBER 22, 2019
The Collective Paper Factory introduces
community-driven co-living model to LIC
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO
What was once the 100-yearold
Paper Factory Hotel, located
at 37-06 36th St., has undergone a
makeover thanks to the Britishbased
company, The Collective.
Back in March, The Collective
announced that they acquired
the space to introduce their first
operational co-living site in the
United States — and in November,
they officially opened up for
business.
“People often ask me, how do
you describe co-living? And it’s
not an easy question to answer
given that we’re still at such an
early stage in our journey, but I
think it really comes down to a
feeling. It’s about creating a feeling
of sense of belonging and a
feeling where people can really
experience life,” Reza Merchant,
founder and CEO of The Collective,
said at a press preview.
Merchant and a group of colleagues
started the company back
in 2010 after realizing that living
spaces weren’t meeting the needs
of students, graduates or other
city dwellers who didn’t just want
a place to live, but wanted a place
where they could live and connect
with others.
That’s the purpose of The Collective
Paper Factory.
Their modern-yet-cozy space
is designed to invite guests to
convene in open spaces outside
of their rented rooms. There’s a
warm, brick-wall Conservatory
with sofas and seats that leads
to their Courtyard, a Playroom,
a gym, a Great Room for events
and an all-day restaurant and bar
called ama.
When it comes to their rooms,
which have a minimalistic, sleek
and home-y look, there’s a variety
of options, according to their website.
Guests can choose from a 230
square-foot room with a queen
bed, a 245 square-foot room with
two queens beds and a crib, a 412
square-foot ADA Accessible room
with a king bed, a 400 square-foot
room with a king bed and a kitchenette,
among others.
The rates vary but according
to The Collective, the rooms start
at $135 per night. For a two-week
stay, they start at $1,250 and a
29-day stay starts at $2,300. No
matter what room guests choose,
they will have access to all amenity
spaces, Wi-Fi, gym membership,
24/7 concierge, professional
cleaning, linen change and
utilities.
The Collective’s projects in
London tend to attract people between
the ages of 18 and 65, at a
wide range of professional and
income brackets. The co-living
approach also tends to accommodate
those with a more flexible
lifestyle, “whether it’s because
they’re between leases or
craving a more community-led
environment.”
They foresee that their space
in Long Island City will also attract
international guests “looking
to discover Astoria and Long
Island City during their visit
to New York, as well as act as a
homebase to Queens natives and
New Yorkers at large.”
Long Island City is no stranger
to the co-living model, though. Ollie
is another company that came
to the neighborhood in 2018, and
offers an all-inclusive co-living
experience. The two had representatives
speak on a panel about
the different kinds of co-living
and co-working spaces that are
coming to LIC at this year’s LIC
Summit.
But what sets The Collective
apart is its outspoken efforts to
involve the community in their
vision.
They say they did extensive research
of the area, are looking to
work with nearby local business
and spoke to many leaders in LIC
to understand the quickly changing
neighborhood.
One of the leaders they’ve
worked with is Elizabeth Lusskin,
president of the LIC Partnership.
“Long Island City is attracting
the most innovative companies
with its unparalleled access to
space, mass transit and a diverse
range of industries and talent —
and The Collective Paper Factory
is a great example of how international
brands at the cutting edge
of their industry are choosing LIC
for their next home,” Lusskin told
QNS. “The Collective is not only a
great co-living concept but also a
thought leader in the field. Their
Paper Factory location takes advantage
of all LIC has to offer,
while also serving as a welcome
addition to the neighborhood.”
This is only phase one of The
Collective Paper Factory. In 2021,
phase two will introduce more
than 100 “purpose-designed coliving
units on top of the existing
structure.”
The Collective also has plans
to introduce more co-living spaces
in Brooklyn. They are in the
midst of transforming the historic
Slave Theater at 1215 Fulton
Street into a mixed-use building
as well as creating a mixed-use
tower that will serve as its flagship
location at 555 Broadway.
The Collective Paper Factory’s Conservatory. Photo courtesy of The Collective
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