The Queens Chamber of Commerce has announced the 12 outstanding construction projects that will be honored at its 2023 Building Awards Gala on October 12 at Terrace on the Park. The evening will celebrate excellence in the construction and design of building projects in Queens.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce has hosted a Building Awards ceremony since 1926.  For over 95 years, business and community leaders have gathered to honor buildings and projects that have contributed to the architectural betterment of Queens and keep the borough vibrant, sustainable, and livable.
“Over the years, our borough has evolved and changed, but it continues to flourish thanks in large part to the real estate and development community, who continue to bring new and exciting projects to Queens. We look forward to coming together to honor these talented architects and builders – as we have done for nearly a century – at our 2023 Building Awards Gala at Terrace on the Park, said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or would like to learn about sponsorship  opportunities, you can find out more on the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s website or email Rae-Anna Persad at [email protected].  
The building projects being recognized in 2023 are:


NEW CONSTRUCTION
 
Hotels & Motels
Waltham Hotel
Architect: Gerald J. Caliendo Architects, R.A.P.C.
Builder: DASR CORP
 
Multi-Family Homes
44-46 PURVES STREET, QUEENS, NY 11101
Architect: Gerald J. Caliendo Architects, R.A.P.C.
Builder: DASR CORP
 
Religious Building
Far Rockaway Community Church of the Nazarene
Architect: WQB Architecture Pllc
Builder: Pillar Property Management
 
Schools & Colleges
Mosaic Pre-K Center
Architect: MDSzerbaty+Associates Architecture LLC
Builder: Navillus Contracting
 
IS 419Q Tommie L. Agee Educational Campus
Architect: New York City School Construction Authority
Builder: EW Howell Construction Group
 
Mixed Use (Residential/Commercial/Industrial)
The Green House
Architect: Studio V
Builder: AMC Builders
 
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
 
Mixed Use (Residential/Commercial/Industrial)
Alvista Rise
Architect: GF55 Architects LLP
Builder: Artimus Construction
 
REHABILITATION, READAPATIVE USE, ALTERATION, OR ADDITION
Religious Building Hotels & Motels
Nichiren Shoshu Temple
Architect: TMH Architect NYC, LLC
Builder: BR Construction Group
 
Commercial
The World Artisan Market
Architect: Christopher Papa Architect
Builder: Titan Realty & Construction
 
Industrial
Viega LLC in the WoodWorks Building
Architect: Viega LLC
Builder: Viega LLC
 
Mayer Malbin Company Inc
Architect: Zirinsky Architecture, PC
Builder: Cook and Krupa
 
Health Care Related Facilities
Genovese Family Life Center
Architect: Spacesmith LLP
Builder: DBCollaborative LLC  

Press release available for download, below.

The debate is settled. Smoke & Barrel is the winner of the inaugural Queens’ Best Barbecue Competition, held by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business association in Queens. Over the past several weeks, foodies nominated and voted on their favorite barbecue joints in the borough, with the Far Rockaway eatery emerging as the winner.
 
“Queens residents have placed their votes and we’re delighted to honor Smoke & Barrel as the inaugural winner of the Queens’ Best Barbecue Competition,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone knows that Queens is the foodie capital of New York City and judging by the variety of barbecue types nominated for this contest we can see the borough’s remarkable diversity play out in our foods. Congratulations to Brian and Susan Baldwin and the entire team at Smoke & Barrel on winning this coveted title. They are worthy winners!”
 
“We are honored to have been awarded the winner of the best barbecue in Queens. Thank you to Tom Grech and the rest of the Queens Chamber of Commerce for organizing this competition," said Brian and Susan Baldwin, owners of Smoke & Barrel. "We want to thank our amazing staff, chef, and pitmaster for always bringing their best to work everyday. To our dedicated customers and community, thank you for your unwavering support and for coming back for more barbecue! We invite everyone to come and visit Smoke & Barrel and see why we were voted the best in the borough!"
 
"I am so excited to hear about Smoke & Barrel winning this award,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato. “Having been able to help with the upbringing of this fine eatery, I am overjoyed to witness the Baldwin family's hardwork and dedication being recognized."
 
“It’s an honor to say that District 32 is home to both the winner of the Queens Chamber inaugural best pizza competition and now the best BBQ in the borough,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola said. “I look forward to Smoke and Barrel serving the community for years, and I congratulate them on this award.”


In total, 19 establishments were nominated for this contest and Smoke & Barrel was selected the winner after that public nomination process and vote. Nominations included traditional barbeque restaurants, as well as Brazilian-style barbeque, Filipino barbeque, and others. In addition to earning the title of Queens’ Best Barbecue, Smoke & Barrel received a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
 
The top-5 eateries selected by the public were:

1. Smoke & Barrel (Far Rockaway)
2. Batesy’s BBQ and Bar (Arverne)
3. John Brown BBQ (Sunnyside)
4. Pig Beach BBQ Queens (Astoria)
5. Goody’s BBQ Chicken and Ribs (Arverne)

Press release available for download, below.