HPD Seeks Urban Development Action Area Designation for Two City-Owned Properties in East Village

Approval of the proposed project will provide housing to families that have been displaced for over ten years. On December 5, 2018, the City Planning Commission heard an application that would allow for the demolition of existing buildings on two City-owned lots and development of ten co-operative units at 204 Avenue A and eleven one-bedroom rental units at 535 East 12th Street in Manhattan. The lots are located on the same block in the … <Read More>


Owner Faulted on Luxury Decontrol of East Village Apartment

East Village landlord improperly deregulated luxury apartment while receiving a City J-51 tax benefit. Until 1999, apartment 5M at 187 East 4th Street in Manhattan’s East Village was a rent-stabilized unit with a rent of $1,464 per month. When the apartment became vacant the owner, 72A Realty Associates L.P., installed new windows, closets, cabinets, countertops and other improvements totaling over $18,000 in costs. Based on the improvements, the owner obtained a J-51 real property tax … <Read More>


Landlord Wins Decontrol Dispute in First Department

Post-vacancy rent increase raised rent beyond $2,000 threshold and resulted in decontrolling a rent-stabilized apartment. In November 2003, Craig Smith and Elise Stone rented an apartment at 233 East 5th Street in Manhattan. Prior to their occupancy, the previous tenant resided in the unit as a rent-stabilized tenant. The previous tenant’s rent at the end of his occupancy was $1,836.20 per month. On renting the apartment Smith and Stone accepted a 20-percent vacancy increase. … <Read More>


City Council Unanimously Approves Legislation to Prevent Gas Explosions [UPDATE: Mayor Signs Legislation]

gas explosionsUPDATE: On December 6, 2016, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the package of bills to increase gas safety in New York City. “Gas safety is important for all New Yorkers, and this legislative package will resolve numerous regulatory oversights,” said the Mayor. “These reforms will ensure both property owners and utility companies are accountable for keeping buildings safe.”

“In a relatively short time we’ve seen a number of gas explosions take place in the City; … <Read More>


East Village south of Union Square rezoned

Contextual rezoning established streetwall and building height limits for an eight-block area below Union Square. On October 27, 2010, the City Council approved the Department of City Planning’s rezoning of portions of eight blocks in Manhattan’s East Village. The contextual plan rezoned an area bounded by the south side of East 13th Street, the north side of East 9th Street, Third Avenue, and the east side of Fourth Avenue from C6-1 to C6-2A. The blocks … <Read More>