515 West 170th Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 6-story, 36-unit building at 515 West 170th Street in Washington Heights, built in 1917 and currently owned by Bill Hirmes, has experienced recurrent heating and water issues throughout 2024. The most recent incidents were documented in August 2024, with multiple heat and hot water complaints filed between March and August 2024, including one complaint about inadequate heat/hot water from December 2023 that resulted in violations being issued. Other significant maintenance issues included a mold problem in apartment 65 (May 2024) and rodent activity concerns, with failed inspections in October and November 2024.

The building has faced various violations and complaints over the years, including multiple instances of illegal hotel room usage inquiries (2020-2022), a building stability complaint (2021), and issues related to unauthorized renovations (2018-2021) for which penalties were imposed. Recent inspections and violations from 2024 indicate ongoing maintenance challenges, including unsecured marble treads in the 4th-story public hall, defective vestibule doors, and issues with window guards and carbon monoxide detectors in apartment 65. The building's heating system access concerns were notably documented in a April 2024 violation, and there have been multiple emergency heat/hot water complaints filed throughout the year. While the building management has responded to various violations and complaints, as evidenced by the issuance of correction notices and permits, there are still several open violations as of the latest reports.

The property has maintained a bedbug-free status since 2020, with no reported infestations in the past five years, and rodent inspections have shown passing results in several recent years, though recent failures in 2024 indicate potential ongoing pest management challenges. The building has a documented history of various administrative code violations requiring correction notices, particularly during 2018-2021, related to unauthorized work, permit issues, and building maintenance standards. While many of these violations have been resolved, the pattern of repeated heating and maintenance complaints throughout 2023-2024 suggests persistent infrastructure challenges. The property has undergone various repair and maintenance work as evidenced by permit issuance, though access issues during inspections have sometimes complicated violation resolution.