59 St James Place, Manhattan, NY 10038

The five-story, 8-unit building at 59 St James Place, owned by Richard Wong, was built in 1830 and currently operates as a joint residential/artists space in the Civic Center neighborhood. The property has experienced recurring health and maintenance issues over the past several years, with the most recent concerns centered around smoking violations, including inadequate signage and instances of smoking in smoke-free areas between May and July 2025.

The building has also faced significant plumbing and maintenance challenges, with multiple violations documented in 2023 related to flooring, ceiling conditions, and plumbing fixtures. Emergency conditions were noted in December 2024, including reports of mold and various unsanitary conditions, while previous issues involving inadequate heat/hot water access were documented in late 2022. The building's maintenance history shows ongoing pest management efforts, with rodent inspections consistently passing between 2023 and 2025, though the presence of bait application in 2023 suggests previous rodent activity.

A series of bedbug reporting requirements have been documented, with the most recent filings showing zero infested units between 2022-2024. The property has undergone regular health department monitoring, with inspections revealing various housing maintenance code violations, particularly regarding bedbug reporting compliance. The building's age and mixed-use nature have resulted in complex maintenance challenges, though recent inspections indicate some improvement in overall conditions, with several violations being properly closed, including floor tile repairs and water leak abatement in mid-2023.