What to know about buying in Briarwood, Queens, where you may score a house with a driveway and garage
- The neighborhood is notable for its 1930s-era houses but co-ops currently dominate listings
- You can find some renovated single-family houses on the market for around $850,000
- Two-bedroom co-ops run $275,000 and two-bedroom condos range from $500,000 to $550,000
Built in 1935, this recently renovated semi-detached brick house has three bedrooms, two full baths, and one half bath. It is asking $1.35 million.
The western Queens community of Briarwood, where Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche, civil-rights leader Roy Wilkins, and feminist activist and author Betty Friedan once lived, pairs tranquility with excellent transit options.
The neighborhood is also the home of Archbishop Molloy High School, whose famous alumni include former New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and actor David Caruso of “NYPD Blue” and “CSI: Miami” fame.
In this week’s Buy Curious, Donna Demkowicz, owner/broker of Donna Demkowicz Real Estate Co., and John McSherry, an agent with Douglas Elliman, give us the inside story on Briarwood.
The question:
I’ve heard that real estate in Briarwood may be a little bit less expensive than what’s available in the surrounding communities. Is that true?
The reality:
There isn’t a significant price difference, Demkowicz says.
McSherry agrees, adding that prices in Briarwood may be a little lower than in Kew Gardens because the latter offers an additional transportation option: the Long Island Rail Road. And Briarwood may be slightly more expensive than Jamaica.
Where is it?
Briarwood is bounded by Kew Gardens Hills on the north, Holliswood on the east, Jamaica on the south, and Kew Gardens on the west.
Why would NYers want to move to Briarwood?
Demkowicz notes that Briarwood’s central location—“it’s easy to get to anywhere you want by highway, bus, or train”––makes it attractive, as does its serenity.
“It’s a quieter neighborhood than Kew Gardens and Jamaica,” McSherry says. “It’s more suburban, and it’s not far from the train, so it’s easy to get to Manhattan.”
Where in Briarwood should you live?
There are no named subsections in the community.
What are housing and pricing like?
Brick and frame single- and two-family residences that date to the 1930s are the dominant types of real estate in Briarwood. There are detached as well as attached residences; some of them have driveways and garages.
Despite being in shorter supply overall compared to houses, McSherry says most of the choices on the market are co-ops.
According to StreetEasy, there 44 single-family houses, co-ops, and condos for sale.
The market is in transition, Demkowicz notes, with sellers having to face the reality that higher mortgage rates are causing buyers to hit the pause button.
“Homeowners haven’t come to terms with the lower offers,” she says. “And they are being stubborn about their asking prices. I’ve seen this happen before; it’s an adjustment for everyone.”
Single-family houses that have been renovated typically average $850,000, while renovated two families average $1.2 million, Demkowicz says. One-bedroom condos generally are $375,000, and two-bedroom units command $500,000 to $550,000, she says, adding that two-bedroom co-ops usually bring $275,000.
Is there a lot of new development?
There’s not really very much new development, other than single- and two-family renovations, because there’s not enough land,” Demkowicz says.
What’s the transportation situation?
The E and F trains serve the community as do the Q20A, Q20B, Q44 SBS, X63, X64, and X68 bus lines. Residents can also access the LIRR in Jamaica or Kew Gardens.
What is there to do?
Briarwood Playground and Hoover-Manton Playgrounds, which have basketball and handball courts as well as playgrounds, are the community’s main green spaces.
Maple Grove Park is right across the border in Kew Gardens, and Captain Tilly Park is next door in Jamaica Hills.
What’s the restaurant/nightlife situation?
The community offers a variety of restaurants.
Popular dining spots include Briarwood Café, a coffee shop with an American and Greek menu that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Alba’s, known for its pizza and pasta; and Or-Yehuda, a kosher establishment specializing in kabobs since 1997.
How about grocery stores?
The main options are Key Food, Ferreira Foodtown of Parsons Boulevard, and ShopRite.
Check out these listings in Briarwood.
139-15 83rd Ave., #707
On the top floor of a seven-story co-op with 282 units, this two-bedroom, one-bath unit is listed for $285,000. It has hardwood floors and a renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a dishwasher. The building, which dates to 1958, has a laundry room, an indoor playroom and outdoor playground, a 24-hour doorman, camera surveillance, and a wait-listed parking garage.
139-34 Coolidge Ave.
Originally listed for $1.2 million, this single-family detached prewar Tudor, built in 1940, is on the market for $1.099 million. The 1,872-square-foot house has three bedrooms, one full bath, one half bath, a fireplace, sunken living room, and an eat-in kitchen that opens to an enclosed patio. Other features include a large yard, one-car garage, and private drive that can accommodate two more cars.
143-25 Hoover Ave.
This single-family detached house, dating to 1940, has been completely renovated. The three-bedroom, three-bath residence, which is 1,300 square feet, features hardwood floors, a living room, formal dining room, an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, and a finished basement. Outside is a back porch, saltwater pool and hot tub, and stone terrace. It is on the market for $1.199 million after a recent price drop.
143-20 84 Rd.
Built in 1935, this single-family semi-detached brick house, which has three bedrooms, two full baths and one half bath, is listed for $1.35 million. Recently renovated, the 3,456-square-foot residence has a kitchen with a marble island and stainless steel appliances, a finished basement, split AC units, a garage, backyard, and private driveway.
84-31 Van Wyck Expressway #2L
This two-bedroom, one-bath co-op is listed for $285,000 and has hardwood floors throughout. It's on the second floor of a six-story, circa-1954 building that has 73 units, a doorman, live-in super, laundry room, and bike-storage space.
Nancy A. Ruhling is a freelance writer based in New York City.
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