51-18 48th Street, Queens, NY 11377

The two-family residence at 51-18 48th Street in Sunnyside, owned by Robert Cunniffe, has experienced several significant events in recent years, most notably concerning unauthorized alterations to the building. In 2024, the Department of Buildings investigated and confirmed that the property was converted from its legal two-family status to an illegal three-family configuration through the creation of a Class A apartment in the cellar level, which was originally designated as a boiler room and storage space.

This unauthorized renovation included the construction of full-height partition walls creating three rooms with doors, installation of a full kitchen with residential sink and gas line for stove, a three-piece bathroom, and electrical modifications. While violations were initially issued for these modifications, they were ultimately dismissed in October 2024 under Section 3221. More recently, in October 2023, there was an electrical lighting issue reported through the 311 system, which prompted inspections by both the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the DOB.

The HPD investigation found no violations, and the complaint was closed. Currently (as of April 2025), there appears to be a Local Law Audit complaint related to the property, which resulted in the issuance of a request for corrective action on the same day it was filed. While the recent complaints suggest ongoing monitoring of the property, particularly regarding electrical systems and compliance with building codes, no major safety violations have been recorded in the most recent inspections.