12 Bowery, Manhattan, NY 10013

12 Bowery is a 4-story, Class B residential building located in Chinatown, constructed in 1915 and currently owned by Ken Yee. The building has experienced several significant compliance issues over the past few years, most notably in 2019 when multiple violations were documented.

These included illegal occupancy issues, with the third and fourth floors being used as an unauthorized learning center/school of instruction, and the second floor reportedly converted into an illegally occupied physical culture establishment/massage parlor. The property has also faced numerous Department of Buildings (DOB) violations related to work conducted without proper permits, particularly on the second floor where unauthorized partitions, water lines, and ceiling modifications were discovered. More recent activity includes a November 2023 complaint about work being performed without a permit in an occupied multiple dwelling, which was referred to the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The building has maintained a clean record in terms of pest and rodent control since 2019, with no bedbug infestations reported in the past six years and consistent passing results on rodent inspections conducted approximately every six months between 2019 and 2025. The most recent rodent inspection in April 2025 also passed, indicating effective ongoing maintenance in this area. While the building has faced multiple regulatory challenges, particularly in 2019, recent years show improved compliance with regard to pest management and rodent control, though some outstanding violations remain on record as of the latest inspection dates.