531 West 179th Street, Manhattan, NY 10033

531 West 179th Street is a 5-story, 22-unit New Law tenement building constructed in 1906, currently owned by Herman Rubin. The building has experienced several notable maintenance and safety issues in recent years, with the most pressing being a fire escape safety complaint filed in April 2025 that could not be inspected due to lack of access. In 2024, multiple violations were recorded during inspections, including problems with water leakage, paint/plaster issues on walls and floors, and inadequate heating in Apartment 2.

Notably, there were violations regarding the fire escape access in 2024, and several maintenance issues were documented in Apartment 1 during 2024, including mold, flooring, and plaster problems. The building has also faced structural challenges, with a significant Department of Buildings violation in 2022 regarding fire escape disrepair and a detached stair tread between the 4th and 5th floors, though this was later dismissed as conditions were brought into compliance. The property has maintained a relatively routine pattern of inspections, with all recent rodent inspections passing (most recent in October 2024), though there was one documented instance of rat activity in 2016.

Bedbug reports indicate minimal issues, with only one case recorded in 2022 and no further infestations reported in subsequent years. The building has had occasional issues with utility systems, including a gas utility referral in 2018 that resulted in no violations. Overall, while the building has experienced various maintenance and safety challenges over the years, particularly regarding heat, water systems, and fire escape issues, most violations appear to have been addressed, with recent inspections showing improved compliance in many areas.