385 Mcdonald Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218

The four-story building at 385 McDonald Avenue in Kensington, owned by Sid Borenstein and completed in 1997, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues over the past few years, with the most pressing concerns centering around heating systems and elevator maintenance. Most notably, there have been multiple emergency heat/hot water complaints in January 2025, and the building has faced regular heating system problems, including significant boiler issues documented in 2020 that resulted in an Environmental Control Board violation.

The elevator system has also required particular attention, with multiple violations and repair needs noted between 2019 and 2024, including a February 2024 violation regarding in-car emergency phone repairs, hoist rope maintenance, and other safety systems that incurred a $3,125 penalty. The building has undergone regular inspection regimes, including semi-annual homeless shelter inspections in 2024 and 2025 that found no violations in construction, electrical, and plumbing systems, though there were Oath Violations served in 2022. Bedbug and rodent management appears to be under control, with the most recent bedbug reports (2023-2024) showing no infested units, though there was a notable incident in 2019 involving five infested units.

Recent rodent inspections (2025) showed rat activity, though previous inspections had consistently passed. The building's maintenance record also shows regular compliance with bedbug reporting requirements, with reports consistently showing zero infested or re-infested units since 2021, except for the one incident in 2019. While the building has had its share of maintenance violations and emergency complaints, recent inspections suggest that many systems are being actively monitored and addressed, though the recurring nature of heating system issues indicates this remains a significant area of focus.