Jamaica Estates, Queens
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Jamaica Estates is located in the New York City borough of Queens, and is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. Jamaica Estates is part of Queens Community Board 8[1] It is bounded by Union Turnpike to the North, Hillside Avenue to the South, Utopia Parkway and Homelawn Street to the West and 188th Street to the East. Although technically in the Hollis zip code, many consider the neighborhood bounded by Union Turnpike, 188th Street, Cunningham Park and the Grand Central Parkway to be part of Jamaica Estates as well.
Jamaica Estates was created at the turn of the century by the Jamaica Estates Company, which developed the area's hilly 503 acres (2.04 km²), while preserving many of the trees that had occupied the site.[2] Jamaica Estates now has significant Jewish-American and Asian-American populations. It is one of the most expensive residential areas in Queens.
The only apartments and multi-family housing lie near the southern border within a few blocks from and along Hillside Avenue. The main shopping corridors include Hillside Avenue and Union Turnpike.
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[edit] Education
The neighborhood is served by two public elementary schools. Residents in the eastern part of Jamaica Estates are served by The Holliswood School (PS 178) on Radnor Road at 189th Street in School District 26, and residents in the western part of the neighborhood are served by The Abigail Adams School (PS 131) in School District 29. The Mary Louis Academy, an all-girls Catholic college-prep school, ans Immaculate Conception school is also located in this neighborhood, on the corner of Edgerton Street and Wexford Terrace.
The Queens Campus of the United Nations International School, for students in grades K-8, is located on Croydon Road. It is run by the United Nations, and has its main location on the East Side of Manhattan. The school was originally intended for the children of UN diplomats and employees but enrollment is open to everyone.[3]
[edit] Transportation
The northern terminus of the New York City Subway's IND Queens Boulevard Line (F), 179th Street station, is located at the entrance of Jamaica Estates at Midland Parkway and Hillside Avenue. The neighborhood is also served by the Q17 and Q46 bus lines. Numerous express buses to Manhattan also stop on Union Turnpike. The commute to Midtown Manhattan takes 30 to 45 minutes.
In contrast to much of Queens, most streets in Jamaica Estates do not conform to the rectangular street grid and follow topographic lines, the most notable example being Midland Parkway. Many of the named streets have Anglo-Saxon origins, such as Aberdeen, Avon, Barrington, Chelsea, and Chevy Chase Street. Most of the homes are large single-family homes in the tudor and colonial styles, many on substantial lots, sited on hilly winding streets lined with old-growth trees.
[edit] Popular culture
On film, the (non-existent) address 2432 Derby Avenue was the home of Cleo McDowell in Coming to America. DMX's character in the film Belly resides in a considerably large house in the Jamaica Estates neighborhood.
[edit] Noted natives
- Gary Ackerman, who is presently serving his twelfth term in the United States House of Representatives, where he represents Jamaica Estates and the Fifth Congressional District of New York
- Joseph "Run" Simmons, the "Run" of Run-D.M.C., lived in the area for some time before moving to New Jersey.[4]
- Donald Trump grew up in the area.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Queens Community Boards, New York City. Accessed September 3, 2007.
- ^ Shaman, Diana. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Jamaica Estates, Queens; An Enclave That Treasures Its Trees", The New York Times, September 21, 1997. Accessed November 11, 2007. "The Jamaica Estates Company, which developed the community's 503 acres (2.04 km²) at the turn of the century, laid out lots to preserve existing trees. Some are now more than 200 years old."
- ^ Welcome to UNIS Queens, United Nations International School. Accessed December 4, 2007.
- ^ Lee, Felicia R. "COPING; Rapper Is Reborn to Sounds of the Spirit", The New York Times, November 12, 2000. Accessed November 11, 2007. "The Reverend Run and his family moved into the house in Jamaica Estates a few months ago."
- ^ Ojito, Mirta. "CAMPAIGNING FOR CITY HALL: THE BATTLEGROUND; Gauging the Vote of the Satisfied", The New York Times, September 8, 2001. Accessed November 11, 2007. "Mr. Trump, one of Jamaica Estates' most famous sons, was born and raised a few blocks from the spot where Mr. Pillay stood supervising the painters in his new house."
[edit] External links
- If You're Thinking of Living In/Jamaica Estates, Queens; An Enclave That Treasures Its Trees, The New York Times, September 21, 1997
