135 Middleton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206

The five-story, 14-unit residential building at 135 Middleton Street in Williamsburg, owned by Joe Retek and built in 1942, has experienced several notable events in recent years. Most concerning were multiple violations identified during a February 2023 inspection, including unauthorized construction of additional stories above the fifth floor, modifications to fire stair bulkheads, and a broken sprinkler cap in apartment 5B.

These violations, along with others concerning window guards and stairwell maintenance, were all certified as corrected by mid-2023. The building also faced administrative violations in 2020-2022 related to energy benchmarking report filings, though these were ultimately resolved or dismissed. Historical maintenance records indicate attention to safety matters, with required notices about gas leak procedures posted in December 2020, though there was a 2020 violation related to a refrigerator left in a public hallway.

The building has maintained an excellent record regarding bedbug infestations, with all annual reports from 2021 through 2024 showing zero infested or eradicated units, and no re-infestations noted. While the property has experienced various code violations over the years, including some related to fire safety and unauthorized modifications, there is evidence of prompt correction of most recent violations, particularly those identified during the 2023 inspection. The building's recent history suggests improved compliance with health and safety requirements, though the 2023 violations indicated ongoing challenges with unauthorized modifications and building system maintenance.