1686 Grand Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453

The 2-story, 3-unit building at 1686 Grand Avenue in Morris Heights, owned by Aron Stark and built in 1920, has experienced recurring issues with heating system failures, particularly in 2023 and early 2024, with multiple complaints about lack of heat or hot water being filed with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The building has also faced several significant maintenance challenges, including lead paint hazards in the first-floor apartment (as of February 2024), and an open violation from August 2024 regarding broken or defective clay terracotta at the second-story roof.

While the building has passed recent rodent inspections in 2024 and 2025, there were concerning sanitation issues documented in 2023, including garbage/recycling storage problems and pest infestations. The property has a notable history of administrative compliance challenges, particularly regarding lead paint reporting, with multiple open violations as of 2024 related to failure to provide required documentation and to notify occupants about hazards. A bedbug report filed in August 2024 indicated no current infestations, though the building's history shows periodic nuisance complaints over the years.

Recent Department of Buildings complaints from 2024 have raised concerns about unauthorized work and building stability, though inspections did not result in confirmed violations. The building's heating system has been a persistent concern, with multiple emergency complaints filed in 2024, though some were closed without violations after inspections could not gain access to the units. The property has undergone some recent construction activity, with a permit issued for conversion work, though this has generated complaints about work being conducted without proper permits during occupied periods, as evidenced by a June 2024 violation with a $1,250 penalty.