The proposed development would involve demolishing a block of buildings including the Tower Diner (Google Maps)
May 26, 2021 By Allie Griffin
A developer has filed permits to demolish a number of buildings in Rego Park, including a popular diner and a synagogue that occupies a historic Art Deco building.
RJ Capital Holdings, under the name Trylon LLC, filed the demolition permits on May 3 for the triangular lot at 98-85 Queens Blvd. where Tower Diner, Ohr Natan Synagogue and several businesses sit.
The development company aims to rezone the site in order to build a 16-story mixed-use building on the soon-to-be empty lot. The rezoning plans have yet to be certified by the Dept. of City Planning, with the public review process still to take place.
The triangular lot that RJ Capital Holdings seeks to rezone and develop (Google Maps)
Rudolf Abramov, managing principal of RJ Capital Holdings, previously told the Queens Post that he aims to offer Ohr Natan Synagogue space in the new building, as well as any other current tenants who are interested.
The synagogue is a popular place of worship for members of the Bukharian community in the neighborhood. It occupies the building that once was the historic Art Deco-styled Trylon Theater, which opened in 1939 and closed in 1999. It serves a congregation of roughly 1,000 members, mostly residents of Rego Park and Forest Hills.
The leaders of the synagogue and the development company have been at odds with each other for years, but have since reconciled and hope to establish a home for Ohr Natan in the proposed development.
Rendering of the proposed development (RJ Capital Holdings)
The proposed development would feature 170 apartments and 118,000 square feet of commercial space. Fifty-one of the apartment units, according to the plans, would be “affordable” pursuant to the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing requirement.
Abramov previously said he hopes to break ground on the development next year.
The filing of the demolition permits was first reported by Patch.
Ohr Natan Synagogue, at 98-81 Queens Blvd. (Google Maps)
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8 Comments
unbelieveable that people could tear down the Trylon. why not rehabilitate it and make it the center of your new development.
We need to preserve these
beautiful historical buildings – not destroy them!!!!!
This is a shame. I much rather The Tower Diner remain instead of this new, ugly big building being built. I say, “Leave it as is. Leave it alone.” The way it is fits in with the neighborhood much more than this new building would.
Abramov? Figures! Probably knows people who destroyed Forest Hills by building those ugly syngagogues and disgusting structures (houses) on Jewel Avenue and the surrounding areas! Immigrants like him who could never do this in their own countries come here to destroy neighborhoods. Where is the community board? Where is Koslowitz and the other elected (who could be un-elected the next time they run) officials who are saying enough residences being built???!! KEEP TOWER DINER! I’ve lived in this area for over 40 years and the people from Russia and other dictator run places have destroyed what this area was like.
Sad news.
Over the years, we have seen the demise of too many other diners including the Bay Terrace (Bayside). Bel Aire (Astoria), Gold Star (Bayside), Seville (Douglaston), Sage (Elmhurst), Nevada (Elmhurst), Kanes (Flushing), Saravan (Flushing), Palace (Flushing), Future (Fresh Meadows), Forest Hills (Forest Hills), Waterview (Howard Beach), Fame (Jamaica), Scobees Grill (Little Neck), Sky Line (Glen Oaks), Shalimar (Rego Park) Tasty (Ridgewood) and other diners.
Here’s hoping that our remaining Queens diners including the Neptune (Astoria), Atlantic (South Richmond Hill), Avenita (Jamaica), Bell (Oakdale Garden), Blue Bay (Fresh Meadows), Bucccaneer (East Elmhurst), Corona (Corona), Court Square (Long Island City), Cross Bay (Howard Beach), Good Eats (Maspeth), New York (Long Island City), North Shore (Bayside), Parkway (Douglaston), Ozone (Howard Beach), Pops (Flushing), Springfield (Jamaica), The Classic (Richmond Hill), T-Bone (Forest Hills), Triple Crown (Bellerose), USA (Rosedale) all continue to survive and prosper.
Larry Penner
(A frequent patron of Queens diners for over 5 decades)
Larry
Belaire Diner is still there in Astoria. I do miss Shalimar though.
Triple Crown Diner closed earlier this year (2022). They had an auction on the equipment inside. I had so many memories with friends there. I’m also sad Flagship (Briarwood) closed a few years ago and it’s now a rental apartment building. The developers didn’t even give the owners a chance. Smdh