Queens’ Lost Battalion Hall, a 1939 veterans’ hall, now gleams with fresh paint and new equipment after a city‑wide $25.9 million rebuild. The weightlifting, spin, and basketball rooms received upgraded gear, while the lobby and entrances were redesigned to welcome a broader crowd.
Accessibility took centre stage: every floor now has accessible restrooms, wider corridors, and a new staircase on the east side. The former storage room was repurposed into a wheelchair‑friendly bathroom, and stairways near the front entrance were relocated and enclosed.
Safety upgrades went beyond the visible. A new fire‑alarm and sprinkler system, a rooftop generator, and a modern water line now protect a building that has served Queens for nearly a century.
Its past is as vivid as its present. The Knicks practiced here in the 1960s, and the hall still houses one of the last WPA murals, a tribute to its military‑heritage roots.
With the ribbon cut on Oct. 9, city officials will monitor the new systems for code compliance while residents begin to enjoy an upgraded space that blends history with modern convenience.