1253 St Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 32-unit, 6-story tenement building at 1253 St Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights, owned by Bahram Hakakian, has experienced significant maintenance issues in recent months. Most notably, the building has faced repeated heat and hot water problems throughout early 2025, with multiple emergency complaints filed between February and March 2025 regarding inadequate heating and hot water affecting the entire building. These issues have persisted, with building-wide complaints being closed but remaining unresolved due to lack of access for inspections.

The building has also encountered various plumbing issues, with multiple complaints about sinks, basins, and radiators reported between February and March 2025, though some were found not to violate housing laws. Additional maintenance concerns emerged in July 2024, when violations were issued regarding fire escape obstructions, including flower pots and household items on balconies, and inapt chemical systems in a cellar-level area. The property has a documented history of regulatory issues, including several Environmental Control Board violations in 2022 related to illegal transient use of Apartment B1 (Cellar), lacking sprinklers, fire alarms, and means of egress, along with work done without proper permits. These violations resulted in significant fines, though some were subsequently resolved.

The building's management has attempted to address pest control issues as evidenced by recent inspections, with zero bedbug infestations reported in the past three years. Rodent activity has been periodically addressed, with bait applications in 2022-2023, and the most recent inspections in 2024 showing passing results. Safety concerns were highlighted in 2024 with open violations regarding building access to heating systems and a missing vestibule door in the public hall. The building's age (constructed in 1910) and history of maintenance issues suggest ongoing challenges with building systems and infrastructure.