The Aston, Forest Hills, NY

A rich history

When the “City of the Future” was built at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, the Cord Meyer Company had already been serving the people of Queens for over 40 years and the Meyer family had been an integral part of the community life for almost a century.

In the early 1890’s, Cord Meyer, Jr. envisioned Queens as a vital, growing neighborhood with homes, schools, shops and services. As a result, he purchased a farm in Newtown from Samuel Lord, co-founder of Lord & Taylor, and renamed the area Elmhurst. He laid subdivisions and streets, installed sewers, and established trolley connections. The area prospered and inspired similar growth in the adjoining areas.

Knickerbocker Bay Club, Port Washington, NY

20th century real estate

As the 20th century began, Meyer pursued his interest in real estate, acquiring a substantial parcel of land in the Hopedale section of Whitepot. He designed street layouts, introduced utilities, and built single family homes. Schools and shopkeepers soon followed and as time unfolded, he named his town “Forest Hills.” The creation of Forest Hills marked the advent of Cord Meyer Development Company, which was incorporated in December 1904 with Cord Meyer, Jr. as its first president.

The company’s early developments included Forest and Arbor Close, two contiguous blocks of Tudor Style attached single family residences completed in 1926-1927, and the landmark Lexington and Livingston Apartments. All these projects were awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Design by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.