Elevator Buildings • Briarwood, Queens
Elevator Buildings in Briarwood, Queens (2026)
Elevator buildings are common in newer and taller NYC construction but can be rare in pre-war and tenement neighborhoods. Elevator access affects accessibility, moving costs, rent, and day-to-day convenience. Briarwood scores 6.1/10 on DwellCheck's livability index (#9 of 27 Queens neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data), with 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries.
Briarwood at a glance
Briarwood offers a distinctive living experience in Queens.
What to look for in a elevator apartment in Briarwood
Briarwood has a specific housing profile that affects your elevator search. Its practical score is 8/10 (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer), and the most common residential building class is one-family (46% of residential tax lots in NYC's PLUTO data). These are the considerations that matter most here:
- •Elevator reliability — check DOB elevator inspection records for outage history
- •Maintenance fees may be passed through in rent or billed separately in co-ops
- •Freight elevator availability for moving day (some buildings charge for reservation)
- •Wait times during peak morning hours in older buildings with single elevators
- •Emergency stair access and elevator outage contingency plans
How to verify a elevator listing
Listings often over-promise on amenities. Before you sign a lease for a claimed elevator apartment in Briarwood, run through this verification checklist:
- ✓Check DOB elevator inspection records at a810-dobnow.nyc.gov
- ✓Test the elevator during your viewing — listen for unusual noises
- ✓Ask about recent outages, repairs, and upcoming maintenance work
- ✓Verify if the freight elevator is operational for moving day logistics
- ✓Tour during morning rush hour to see how long the elevator wait actually is
Want a deeper dive? Read our full How to Look Up NYC Building Complaints guide.
About Briarwood, Queens
Briarwood is a neighborhood in Queens with its own distinct character and community.
Briarwood scores 6.1/10 overall on DwellCheck's livability index, ranking #9 of 27 Queens neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data. Rent prices in Briarwood vary widely; check specific listings for current market rates. DwellCheck lists 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries for Briarwood, including 169 St, Sutphin Blvd.
A typical 200m circle in Briarwood holds about 164 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 5.2/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Briarwood: Captain Tilly Park, Hoover - Manton Playgrounds, Joseph Austin Playground. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Briarwood Playground, about 236m.
Subway stations in Briarwood
Who Briarwood is best for
A neighborhood worth exploring for its unique qualities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about finding a elevator place in Briarwood?
Briarwood pricing varies by block and building. Briarwood ranks #9 of 27 Queens neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data on livability (6.1/10). Known for e/f express stop and co-op apartments, Briarwood has a rental market where elevator options depend heavily on building era and management. Briarwood offers a distinctive living experience in Queens.
How much should I expect to pay in Briarwood?
Pricing in Briarwood varies widely by block, building age, and floor. Queens is a large borough with significant rent variation — always compare at least 3-4 listings before committing.
Is Briarwood actually a good fit for someone looking for a elevator apartment?
Depends on your priorities. Briarwood scores 8/10 on practical (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer) and 5/10 on commute (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood). It tends to work best for nyc newcomers. The elevator inventory specifically depends on building stock, which you can verify address by address.
How do I get around from Briarwood?
DwellCheck lists 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries, including 169 St (F) and Sutphin Blvd (F). The commute score is 5/10 (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood); it is not a travel time, so check the trip to your own destination.
What about safety in Briarwood?
Block-by-block variation is significant — two addresses a quarter mile apart can have very different safety profiles. Queens averages 159.5 reported incidents per 300m radius and 0.3 shooting incidents per 500m. The only way to know for a specific address is to check the NYPD data within a walking radius.
Are there parks or green space near Briarwood?
A typical 200m circle in Briarwood holds about 164 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 5.2/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Briarwood: Captain Tilly Park, Hoover - Manton Playgrounds, Joseph Austin Playground. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Briarwood Playground, about 236m. The outdoor score is 5.6/10. There is some green space, though it is not the area's strongest feature.
What is the building stock like in Briarwood?
By NYC's PLUTO tax-lot data, Briarwood's residential lots are 46% one-family, 35% two-family, 13% walk-up apartments (3,438 residential lots in all). Check the DOB Certificate of Occupancy for any specific building before signing.
Elevator Buildings in other Queens neighborhoods
Check a specific Briarwood address
Neighborhood averages are a starting point. Every NYC apartment building has unique violations, complaint history, and livability characteristics. Enter any address for a block-level analysis.
Check a Briarwood address →