Briarwood was named by the wife of early developer Herbert O'Brian, simply because the woods around the area were so full of briars. Today, this exclusively residential neighborhood offers an attractive selection of single-family homes and duplexes or two-family designs. Apartment buildings are available in the area surrounding Queens Boulevard and Main Street, adding multi-family living options. One of the unique buildings in this neighborhood is Parkway Village, a cooperative garden apartment complex that was originally designed and built with the intention of housing United Nations diplomats. The corridors of Queens Boulevard and Union Turnpike have developed as centers of commerce, providing convenient services and shops.