Queensbridge is to LIC as Southside or Bushwick are to Williamsburg. That is, North LIC is where to go hunting for big, raw, industrial spaces as prices rise in the core of LIC.

Here is Greater LIC

Here is a way to think about the many areas comprising this large zone of Western Queens

LIC - though Astoria and all those less chic districts would like the moniker, it really belongs with "Hunterspoint" -- that triangle between the Citibank building, the Queens West towers, and the bridge. LIC means something -- industrial, open, empty, one stop from Manhattan, full of arts/artists, whatever. This part of the map is the most like this of any other, whatever the real estate agents of 11103 say.

Astoria - this is where real people live (many of them greek, apparently), in townhouses at walking distance from well-stocked groceries and so on. Very slight "industrial" feel. Much more Archie Bunker than Brooklyn docks.

Sunnyside - definitely lots of nice commercial warehouse buildings along the 7 as it stretches towards Shea stadium. But farther from the water and somewhat remote from the pockets of upscale yuppiedom in LIC. If anything, far more connected culturally to the Latin homelands of Woodside and east.

North LIC. Last but not least, check out what you typically dismiss as Queensbridge or think bleeds into Astoria. This is a big chunk of warehouses and factory buildings, a few blocks from the Queensbridge F stop (5 min to Manhattan), a 10 minutes from the Queens Plaza trains (7, N, R, etc.). Worth another look. Click on the pictures below to see a tour of the highways and byways.

Gallery from North LIC