653 Mac Donough Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233

The three-story, six-unit tenement building at 653 Mac Donough Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Darren Pearson, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most notably, the building has faced recurring heat and hot water problems, with multiple complaints filed in 2022 and 2023, some resulting in issued violations. The property suffered a serious incident in July 2022 when it experienced structural damage and became non-compliant due to a fire event, resulting in tenant vacates and multiple DOB violations regarding collapsing bricks, damaged roof joists, and compromised facade conditions.

While some violations have been addressed, including carbon monoxide detector and water leak repairs in Apartment 1A in late 2023, several are still open as of 2024, including issues with the building's wood cornice, bedbug reporting compliance, and various maintenance concerns. Recent inspections and service requests from 2023 to 2025 show ongoing maintenance challenges, including plumbing issues, unsanitary conditions, and concerns about building systems. Emergency repairs have been documented for various systems, including plumbing and fire escape concerns as of 2025.

Despite these issues, the building has consistently passed rodent inspections between 2017 and 2025, suggesting effective pest management. The property has also been subject to multiple DOB inspections and compliance requirements, including Local Law 188/17 inspections, with some active violations related to structural conditions and non-compliance with previous orders. While some maintenance violations have been addressed and closed, the building's history suggests ongoing attention is needed to maintain compliance with housing maintenance codes and resolve open violations.