2026 Developing Queens: Grace’s Place

Queens, NY Grace’s Place is a senior housing development financed by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) under the Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program to be in the Edgemere section of Queens and slated as 82 units of affordable housing for seniors ages 62 and above with incomes at /or below 50% AMI with a 30% set aside for formerly homeless seniors. The project will receive 100% project-based vouchers and therefore will follow the Davis Bacon Prevailing Wages mandates as well as the federally funded fair market housing regulations. The project counsel was Nixon Peabody, and title insurance was provided by National Standard Abstract. The project was designed by Paul Castrucci Architects and Mega Contracting Group is the general contractor.

The proposed building will be located on the corners of Central Ave., Nameoke St. and Augustina Ave. in the revitalized downtown Far Rockaway community and will be near a main street of small businesses, a supermarket, and a new large-scale family housing development, the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), and a new public library, all within walking distance of the building.

The project’s 82 units of affordable housing will be comprised of all studio apartments and one non-income producing super’s unit. The project will also provide six parking spaces (on grade) for the residential building because although near the LIRR Far Rockaway stops, the area is still considered a non-transit zone in relation to the New York City Transit Authority. RiseWell Community Services is the nonprofit sponsor and provider of social services through their 15/15 social service award from HRA for this project. This organization already has a 15/15 award in Far Rockaway and is currently active in providing services to this senior population.

The addresses outlined below that form the assemblage of the new project were acquired by the development team on September 28, 2020, financed through the NYC Acquisition Fund, and originated by Enterprise Community Partners.

Block 15535, Lot 1

1) 1340 Central Ave. Block 15535, Lot 1

2) 1338 Central Ave. Block 15535, Lot 1

3) 1342 Central Ave., Block 15535, Lot 1

4) Total s/f 10,450

The project was successful in receiving the 9% HPD Tax Credit Award and received a construction loan from TD Bank North and permanent financing will be through Walker and Dunlop. The building will be constructed to 2020 Enterprise Green Standards and will be aesthetically pleasing and complementary to the other buildings on the block.

Timeline:

• Fall 2022 HPD 9% tax credit application submitted

• June 2023 HPD 9% tax credit award

• December 2023 construction loan closing

• January 2026 construction completion

• December 2026 to be completed

• March 2027 stabilization / perm conversion / 8609.

Project Team

Architect: Paul A. Castrucci Architects

Developer: Brisa Builders Development LLC

MEP/FP Engineering: Dagher Engineering

Financing: TD Bank, NYC HPD, Walker & Dunlop

General Contractor: Mega Contracting Group

Legal Counsel: Nixon Peabody

Others: Hillmann Group, Demerara Engineering, Elliott Hardie & Associates

Project Info

Project Title: Grace’s Place

Project Location: 13-04 Nameoke Ave.

Project Type: Residential senior housing

Property Type: New Construction

Number SF: Nine stories and 57,666 s/f

Year Started: December 2023

Completion Date: January 2026