“MRA intends to maintain the property in its current industrial use,” says Todd Bassen, MRA's managing partner and CIO. “As more and more warehouse and distribution properties in LIC are being redeveloped into residential, office and retail space, industrial users increasingly struggle to find quality properties in the neighborhood. The former Matsil building will serve these tenants' needs for years to come.”

In Long Island City, more than 22,000 residential units and almost 4,900 new hotel rooms are in the pipeline, according to the Long Island City Partnership. But industrial space remains scarce. The vacancy rate for industrial properties hit a two-decade low at the end of 2016.

“Given the varied tenant needs in LIC, it made sense for us to diversify our offerings with this second acquisition,” adds Joseph Farkas, MRA founder and CEO whose firm also owns a mixed-use redevelopment project nearby with TH Real Estate.

“Queens is a dynamic and rapidly transforming borough where user demand is growing and we continue to add to our existing positions in this submarket,” adds Dimpesh Darjee, senior director and head of acquisitions for TH Real Estate's New York regional team. “Long Island City's vitality is only strengthened by its industrial tenants, many of whom have adapted to e-commerce and technology trends, and still desire proximity to Manhattan and the boroughs. Our experience in catering to this sector will help us optimally position this property.”

MRA and TH Real Estate made their foray together into the LIC market last year when they purchased HUB LIC, a 326,000-square-foot industrial property situated a block away from the Matsil Bros. property.

At that site, MRA plans to take advantage of HUB LIC's high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling window line, and the extremely large skylight to transform the property into a high-end, creative office and retail property.