515 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, NY 10036

The 7-story building at 515 West 42nd Street in Hell's Kitchen, owned by Richard Born and built in 1962, has experienced significant maintenance challenges over recent years, particularly concerning heat and hot water systems. Most notably, from March 2025 through at least October 2023, there have been numerous emergency complaints regarding building-wide heat and hot water issues, with the most recent cluster of complaints and violations occurring in March 2025. These heating system failures have resulted in both class A and C housing maintenance code violations, including an open violation from October 2023 in apartment 371 regarding inadequate hot water provision.

The building has also faced persistent rodent and pest issues, with multiple DOHMH rodent complaints in 2019, an unsanitary condition violation in 2021, and ongoing rat activity as recently as April 2025. Recent inspections and violations from late 2023 through 2024 reveal multiple safety concerns requiring attention. These include electrical safety violations documented by the Environmental Control Board (ECB) in November 2024, such as exposed wiring, defective extension cords, and lack of GFCI protection in various areas, as well as building code compliance issues involving missing fire stopping, spalled concrete in the parking garage, and a completely inadequate emergency lighting system.

The building's most recent bedbug report covering the period from November 2023 to October 2024 indicated two infested dwelling units, though both were reported as eradicated. Additionally, as of November 2023, there were structural concerns noted regarding the building's facade and parking garage. Despite these ongoing issues, inspections for some violations have been resolved, and there has been regular rodent bait application observed in early 2025, suggesting at least some efforts to address the building's multiple maintenance challenges.