1221 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216

1221 Dean Street is a 3-story, 8-unit residential building in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, built in 1891 and currently owned by Barbara Spence. The property has experienced significant construction-related issues in recent years, with multiple complaints about dust and air quality problems documented between 2024 and 2025. Most notably, there are ongoing concerns about construction lead dust affecting common areas and apartments as of April 2025, with similar complaints continuing into June 2025.

The building has also faced some enforcement challenges, including multiple Department of Buildings (DOB) complaints regarding work without permits and illegal conversions in late 2024, though inspections typically found no violations warranting enforcement action. In late 2024, three separate violations were issued related to work contrary to a Stop Work Order, with one resulting in a $2,530 fine for improperly displaying a removed Stop Work Order sticker, though this violation was eventually resolved. The building has maintained compliance with important health and safety requirements, with no reported bedbug infestations in its most recent two reporting periods (2023-2024 and 2022-2023).

While there have been some appliance-related complaints logged with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in September 2024 concerning a refrigerator and electric/gas range, these were primarily related to inspection access issues and were eventually closed. The property appears to pass rodent inspections regularly, though there were indications of rat activity in late 2023 and early 2024, with baiting operations conducted throughout 2024. The building's maintenance record shows regular rodent control efforts and consistent aquatic maintenance practices, with environmental controls for lead dust and air quality being the most pressing current concern as of mid-2025.