Malba Mega Homes! WALKING TOUR • Queens, NY • 7/31/23

Still another amazing hidden gem neighborhood in the NYC borough of Queens. Not many people have ever heard of Malba, let alone ever seen it, so I decided to document it in all its glory. One of the richest and most luxurious collection of homes around, right on the waterfront as well, known as Powell’s Cove. Malba was established in 1908 and there’s still a few landmarks standing from way back. Lots of cool old stately houses, also from decades ago, as well as more recent times. There’s even a futuristic space age style house. I saw workers building, renovating and repairing stuff throughout my walk, so the area is clearly in high demand and the residents are serious about the property upkeep.

This beautiful private neighborhood is on the west side of the Whitestone Expressway and extends to 138th Street further west, 15th Avenue to the south and Powell’s Cove on the northern edge (which connects to the East River). Its name is derived from the first letters of the surnames of the five founders, all residents of New Haven, Connecticut: George A. Maycock, Samuel R. Avis, George W. Lewis, Nobel P. Bishop, and David R. Alling. The land was acquired in 1883 by William Ziegler, president of the Royal Baking Powder Company; a subsidiary, the Realty Trust Company, developed 163 acres (sixty-six hectares) in 1908 for wealthy boaters and fishermen, and in the same year railroad service was extended.

There were thirteen houses by the time of the First World War and more than a hundred were built in the 1920s. The railroad station closed in 1932. In the mid 1990s Malba had about four hundred houses, ranging in value from $500,000 to $1 million; a group of homeowners, the Malba Association, attends to the interests of the neighborhood. Look for the Yacht Club pier which is still in operation.

As you can see here in my video, it’s remained quite visually eye catching and certainly well maintained with pride by the current owners. Truly a unique and amazing part of NYC’s vast history.

FEATURES:
0:00 143rd Pl
3:56 11th Ave
5:02 Malba Dr
10:27 South Dr
15:06 Malba Dr
18:26 Center Dr
18:52 Malba Dr
20:15 North Dr
25:24 Malba Dr
26:04 Guard House
26:42 Boulevard
30:29 Parsons Blvd
31:53 Summit Pl
33:59 Malba Dr
39:42 Space House
40:50 Whitestone Bridge
41:31 Yacht Club
44:04 Parsons Blvd
47:28 Boulevard
48:46 Powell's Cove
49:30 Boulevard
50:26 North Dr
54:32 Boulevard
55:35 Point Crescent
59:57 11th Ave
1:00:57 Powell's Cove Park
1:03:22 138th St