431 West 37th Street, Manhattan, NY 10018

The 12-story, 98-unit building at 431 West 37th Street in Hell's Kitchen, owned by Wayne Ngai and constructed in 2009, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most notably, in early 2024, there were serious facade problems with missing EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) cladding that presented public safety hazards, resulting in multiple violations and penalties for failure to maintain the facade properly. A current open violation from May 2024 remains regarding the facade condition, and there are also unresolved issues related to safety notices that should be posted throughout the building regarding gas leaks, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. The building has a documented history of heating system problems, with multiple complaints about lack of heat and hot water in both individual apartments and the entire building during 2022 and 2024.

Water leakage issues were also reported in 2022, though no violations were found after inspections. The Department of Health (DOHMH) has responded to several complaints regarding ventilation and food safety in 2022 and 2025, with the most recent complaint about spoiled food still in progress as of June 2025. While the building has maintained a clean record regarding bedbug infestations and passing rodent inspections since 2017, the ventilation and food safety issues, combined with the ongoing facade problems, suggest ongoing maintenance challenges. The building's management has generally responded to complaints, though access issues sometimes prevent proper inspections, and there are multiple instances where violations were issued in 2023 regarding failure to file required inspections that were later dismissed or resolved.

The building has been subject to various inspections and has generally passed rodent inspections, though there was one instance of rat activity noted. Historical complaints about illegal hotel rooms, elevator issues, and construction-related concerns have been investigated and typically resolved with no violations found. The most recent bedbug and rodent inspections in 2024 were passed, and there have been no reported infestations in the last several years. However, the recent food safety complaint and ongoing facade issues represent the most pressing current concerns regarding building maintenance and safety.