Legendary Astoria Event Hall Faces Wrecking Ball, Permits Show

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A longtime Astoria event venue that shuttered amid the pandemic is slated to be demolished, records show, following speculation that the site will be developed into condos.

An application to tear down 21-01 24th Avenue, a building formerly operating as Riccardo's by the Bridge, was filed with the Department of Buildings on Dec. 17th. The plan is still being examined, and no permits have been filed for a new building yet, records show as of Jan. 4th.

When the event space — and a neighboring building — sold for upwards of $6.3 million last January, though, a Douglas Elliman broker behind the deal told the Astoria Post that the buyer hopes to build a residential and retail development at the site (which the real estate company advertised the space as "ripe for condo or rental development.")

"It was probably one of the fastest land deals I have ever done — 30 days," Douglas Elliman's Alexander Pereira, told the news outlet.

Riccardo's by the Bridge, a four-generation family-run business, was founded by Richard Corbisiero, Sr., in 1951, and quickly became a cultural destination; Astoria's own Tony Bennett got his start as a singing waiter there.

The pandemic's economic devastation, however, forced the event space to shutter in Sept. 2020, after nearly 70 years in the neighborhood.

"This decision has been extremely difficult to make, and is solely due to the various impacts of the COVID pandemic," Corbisiero, the founder's grandson, said in a statement at the time. "If it were up to us we would cater your special events forever."

Related Article: Site Of Riccardo's By The Bridge In Astoria Sold For $6.3 Million