1479 St Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10033

The 6-story, 38-unit New Law Tenement building at 1479 St Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights, owned by Rubin Pikus and constructed in 1920, has experienced significant maintenance challenges in recent months, particularly regarding heating systems and elevator functionality. Between March and April 2025, there were multiple complaints and violations related to heat and hot water throughout the entire building, with at least eight separate complaints recorded, though most were marked as duplicates of a building-wide issue. More recently, in April 2025, a new complaint regarding stair conditions was filed and remains open. The building's elevator system has been a persistent concern, with at least eight complaints about single device operation and lack of alternate service between 2018 and 2025, including two active complaints in 2025.

Noteworthy violations were documented in 2024 regarding elevator safety features, including a non-functioning door zone restrictor and access issues to the motor room, resulting in penalties totaling $3,750. The building has also faced various internal maintenance issues, particularly in apartments 5G and 6F. Apartment 5G had documented violations in late 2024 regarding bathroom door hinges and kitchen cabinet doors, while apartment 6F reported issues with hardwood floors, plaster surfaces, and hot water supply in early 2024. The property has maintained regular pest control reporting, with no documented bedbug infestations since 2019, though there were rodent activity reports in 2022 and 2024, with bait applications noted as recently as November 2024.

Historical records show the building underwent various repairs and maintenance work, including plumbing inspections and the issuance of permits for exterior work in 2020. Records indicate the property has complied with bedbug reporting requirements consistently since 2019, with no infestations reported in the past five years. The most recent environmental and building safety inspections have shown mixed results, with some areas passing inspection while others require follow-up. The building's documented history reveals ongoing maintenance challenges typical of older New York City tenements, with particular focus needed on elevator safety and heating system reliability, though many historical violations have been resolved through proper channels.