15 West 55th Street, Manhattan, NY 10019

The 9-story, 36-unit New Law Tenement building at 15 West 55th Street, owned by John Catalic and dating from 1915, has experienced multiple recurring issues with building-wide heating and hot water systems over the past two years. Most recently, in March 2024, there were complaints of both heat/hot water problems and a power outage affecting the entire building, though HPD inspections found these conditions had been resolved. Similar building-wide heat/hot water complaints were recorded in November 2023 and August 2021, with varying degrees of inspection access and resolution confirmation.

The building's plumbing infrastructure has also been a recurring concern, with multiple complaints regarding water supply issues between 2018 and 2023, along with a bathtub/shower problem reported in February 2023. Recent violations indicate some specific safety concerns, including missing carbon monoxide detectors in apartment 5D and defective self-closing doors in apartment 9D, both noted in March 2024 inspections. The Department of Buildings has active violations related to failure to submit required exterior wall reports (as of October 2022) and to display energy efficiency scores and grades (as of 2021-2024).

Historical issues include several instances of occupancy violations regarding the first-floor terrace, which was reportedly used contrary to its Certificate of Occupancy, though these violations have since been resolved. The building has demonstrated a consistent record of compliance with bedbug reporting requirements from 2020-2024, showing no infested units during this period. Prior rodent inspections between 2010-2012 indicate that the building passed these evaluations, suggesting no significant ongoing pest control issues.