1653 Pilgrim Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461

The two-family house at 1653 Pilgrim Avenue in Pelham Bay, currently owned by Zi Zheng, has experienced several significant maintenance and regulatory issues over the past two years. Most recently, in April 2025, there was a plumbing water supply problem that resulted in violations from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

In July 2023, the building had an emergency mold problem that was also documented through HPD, leading to the issuance of violations. The property has been under scrutiny for potential illegal modifications, with multiple complaints filed in 2023 regarding unauthorized conversions. Specifically, three separate complaints about illegal conversion were recorded between April and September 2023, with one resulting in a Partial Vacate Order and another receiving an Oath Violation.

On September 21, 2023, two active violations were issued concerning unpermitted work in the cellar, including unauthorized partitions, electrical work, plumbing modifications, and gas line installations, as well as the building being converted from its original two-family configuration to an unauthorized three-family layout. The building's cellar, previously designated for boiler, storage, and playroom use, has been converted into a Class A apartment containing bedrooms, a kitchen, and bathroom facilities, exceeding the permissible occupancy limits for the structure. These violations suggest ongoing maintenance and regulatory compliance challenges affecting the building's current status.