Far Rockaway senior housing development recognized for sustainable design
Grace’s Place opened in Far Rockaway earlier this year. Photo courtesy of QBP Richards’ Office
Grace’s Place Senior Apartments, a newly opened affordable housing development for seniors in Far Rockaway, has earned recognition for its sustainable design, receiving an award from the Queens Chamber of Commerce at its 2026 Centennial Building Awards Gala on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Located at 13-04 Nameoke Avenue, Grace’s Place officially opened in May, bringing 82 affordable apartments to low-income and formerly homeless seniors aged 62 and older.
The Queens Chamber’s annual Building Awards ceremony, held at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport, marked the program’s 100th anniversary. The Chamber honored 15 projects spanning residential development, education, health care, commercial construction, and sustainable building.
“This event has remained a priority for the Queens Chamber of Commerce for 100 years because we recognize that the people and projects we’re celebrating are literally building the future of our borough,” said Tom Grech, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “Reaching this centennial is not just an incredible milestone but an opportunity to recognize how the most recent awardees are the latest in a long tradition of professionals whose vision and investment have helped shape Queens into the dynamic place it is today.”
During last week’s event, Grace’s Place was recognized in the New Construction/Sustainable Building category, highlighting its environmentally conscious design alongside its contribution to addressing the borough’s housing needs. The building was designed by Paul A. Castrucci Architects and constructed by Mega Contracting Group, with Brisa Builders Development LLC and Sydney Capital Group LLC serving as development partners.
Financed through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments program, Grace’s Place serves residents earning at or below 50% of the area median income. 30% of its apartments are reserved for formerly homeless seniors, who also have access to on-site supportive services.
Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech. Photo by Dominick Totino
The development incorporates several sustainability measures, including construction to the 2020 Enterprise Green Communities standards and an 18.06-kilowatt hybrid solar canopy system installed by Brooklyn SolarWorks. The 42-module system uses available roof space to help power common areas and essential building systems, improving energy efficiency while reducing long-term operating costs.
RiseWell, formerly known as the Federation of Organizations, provides on-site service coordination through the city’s 15/15 supportive housing initiative. Residents can access case management, benefits counseling, and health resources intended to help them maintain their independence and quality of life.
Beyond its housing and environmental benefits, the project carries personal significance for Brisa Builders Development Managing Member Erika Keller. Grace’s Place is named after her grandmother, Grace Mae, who worked as a housekeeper before dedicating herself to caring for senior citizens as a home attendant.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., who attended Grace’s Place’s May ribbon-cutting ceremony, praised the development as an example of the kind of affordable senior housing the city needs to replicate.
“No group feels the housing and affordability crises more than our seniors, who deserve to age with grace in their communities,” Richards said at the time. “At Grace’s Place, that’s exactly what they’ll be able to do.”
Other honorees at last week’s event included Hillside Tower in Southeast Queens, Link Apartments QPN in Western Queens, St. Vincent Health Sciences Center at St. John’s University and the Northwell Cancer Institute Queens Radiation Center. Renovations at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5 and Bayside High School also received recognition.
“There has never been a better time to call Queens home because we are building like never before all across this borough,” Richards said. “Congratulations to all our honorees who are playing a vital part in elevating Queens, literally and figuratively, and thank you to our partners at the Chamber for its continued stewardship of our thriving small business community. Here’s to the next 100 years of building our borough into a true global economic powerhouse.”
The Queens Chamber of Commerce, the borough’s oldest and largest business association, represents more than 1400 businesses and over 150,000 Queens-based employees.