394 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238

394 Vanderbilt Avenue is a 5-unit, 3-story brick building located in Fort Greene, constructed in 1899 and currently owned by Paul Bichler. The building has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past few years, with the most recent being a July 2024 rat sighting report that was investigated but found no violations by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

In December 2021, there were serious concerns about building stability, with complaints of shaking and foundation issues, including multiple holes and wet conditions in the cellar level foundation wall, though these violations were ultimately dismissed in January 2024. The property underwent substantial construction activity in 2019, which was marked by multiple complaints and violations related to construction safety compliance, including a stop work order and illegal work on a landmark building. These issues also involved problems with debris management and site conditions endangering workers.

The building has shown some pattern of maintenance challenges, particularly during the 2018-2021 period, with multiple complaints about failure to maintain proper building conditions. While many of these violations have been resolved and dismissed, the property's history includes several instances where inspectors were unable to gain access to perform required inspections. The permit records from 2018-2019 show multiple permits being issued for various types of work, including plumbing and equipment-related projects, suggesting significant renovation or maintenance activity during that period.