Modern Spaces expands to Astoria

Modern Spaces, the Long Island City-based residential brokerage with two offices in that neighborhood, will also open an Astoria office, according to a statement from the company. The 900-square foot office, at 29-20 23rd Avenue, should open by Jan. 15.

Eric Benaim, president and CEO of Modern Spaces, said his firm still has some condominium listings at Edge 31, an Astoria complex at 23-32 31st Drive where Modern Spaces is the exclusive sales and marketing agent, and that the company has “several projects in the pipeline.” He added that developers will likely have their eye on Astoria soon and that Modern Spaces wants to be established in the neighborhood when new development arrives.

Modern Spaces will be taking a hyper-local approach, hoping to hire agents with Astoria experience at the new office. Greg Kyroglou, a native Astorian previously with Citizone Realty, has already been hired, and the company expects to hire about 10 more agents for the office. Kyroglou also brokered the deal for the office himself, Benaim said. He declined to give asking rent for the space. Benaim will be helming the new branch himself until he hires a manager.

Benaim, who is sometimes reffered to as the “Mayor of Long Island City,” according to published reports, is known for his local approach. Modern Spaces is the exclsuive marketer for a number of Long Island City developments, including the View, the Powerhouse, the Yard and Arris Lofts. — Guelda Voien