338 West 47th Street, Manhattan, NY 10036

The five-story, 42-unit tenement building at 338 West 47th Street, owned by Zacarias Vazquez, was constructed in 1920 and has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, in the period from October 2023 to January 2024, there were multiple complaints regarding unauthorized smoking in smoke-free areas, with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene responding to nine separate incidents.

The building has also faced recurring problems with heat and hot water systems, documented as emergency complaints in January 2024 and December 2023, affecting the entire building. Apartment 1D has been the focus of several documented violations and maintenance issues, including problems with mold, water leaks, and ventilation systems between 2022 and 2024. The building's infrastructure has shown concerning patterns, with inspections revealing deteriorating conditions: an April 2024 ECB violation cited multiple cracks in the living room brick wall, while a November 2022 violation noted an obstructed fire escape at the second floor.

The property has demonstrated variable maintenance response times, with some issues being addressed through the proper Housing Maintenance Code channels, as evidenced by several closed violations. Recent rodent inspections in 2024 show improved conditions, with passing results, though the building experienced various rat activity reports between 2019 and 2023. The building's permit history from 2018 to 2020 shows regular maintenance activities being documented through authorized permits, suggesting ongoing attention to building upkeep despite the noted violations.