Brisa Builders Opens 82-Unit Grace's Place Senior Apartments in Far Rockaway
FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens, N.Y. — Grace's Place Senior Apartments officially opened May 7 at 13-04 Nameoke Avenue in Far Rockaway, Queens, delivering 82 units of affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless seniors age 62 and older. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a real estate development financed through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development's Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program, with Brisa Builders and Sydney Capital Group LLC serving as development partners.
The project targets residents earning at or below 50% of the Area Median Income. Thirty percent of the units are set aside for formerly homeless seniors.
A City-Subsidized Model for Affordable Senior Housing
The SARA program, administered by NYC HPD, provided the financing framework for the development, which also draws on the city's 15/15 supportive housing initiative to fund on-site services.
Through the 15/15 program, RiseWell — formerly known as Federation of Organizations — will provide on-site service coordination at Grace's Place. Residents will have direct access to case management, benefits counseling, and health resources aimed at promoting independence and quality of life, according to the project announcement.
"Grace's Place represents more than a new building; it represents stability, dignity, and opportunity for older adults who deserve safe and affordable homes," said Nathaniel Montgomery, Chief Housing Development Officer at Brisa Builders Development LLC. "We are proud to celebrate this milestone with the Far Rockaway community and are grateful to the many partners whose support made this development possible."
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. attended the ribbon-cutting and commented on the project.
"No group feels the housing and affordability crises more than our seniors, who deserve to age with grace in their communities," Richards said. "Grace's Place is delivering more than 50 units of high-quality, deeply affordable senior housing, with apartments set aside for formerly homeless older adults. And it's projects like these that we must continue to replicate across the city in service of the seniors who built it."
Design, Construction, and Sustainability Features
Grace's Place was designed by Paul Castrucci Architects and built by Mega Contracting Group. The building was constructed to 2020 Enterprise Green Communities standards, incorporating sustainable design practices intended to reduce long-term operating costs and improve indoor living conditions.
A key sustainability feature is an 18.06 kW, 42-module hybrid solar canopy system designed and installed by Brooklyn SolarWorks. The system utilizes all workable roof space and addresses compliance requirements under New York City Local Laws 92 and 94. The installation offsets power consumption in common areas and essential building systems.
"Solar is more than an environmental choice; it is a foundational investment in the long-term resiliency of our urban infrastructure," said Cait Eggers, a senior project manager at Brooklyn SolarWorks. "By utilizing every workable inch of roof space at Grace's Place, we are ensuring that clean energy supports the building's operations from day one, creating a sustainable model for affordable senior living in New York City."
Project Significance for Brisa Builders
The development carries personal significance for Brisa Builders Development LLC Managing Member Erika Keller, who named the project after her grandmother.
"The project is named after my grandmother Gracie [Grace] Mae, who worked as a housekeeper and then tirelessly as a home attendant for senior citizens," Keller said. "She was a humble, kind, and gentle soul, who I believe, from above, is honored to know that her kindness and service to so many seniors is being recognized in such a grand way."
Grace's Place is located at 13-04 Nameoke Avenue in Far Rockaway, Queens.