1 Ascan Avenue, Queens, NY 11375

The 6-story, 51-unit residential building at 1 Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills, currently owned by Robert Ast, has exhibited a generally stable condition since its construction in 1918, with some notable maintenance and safety incidents primarily related to its elevator systems. Most concerning were two Environmental Control Board violations in January 2021, when access issues to the motor room resulted in penalties of $1,562 each for the ownership group due to inspection access denial and equipment concerns.

The building's elevator system had previously been the subject of a Department of Buildings complaint in January 2021 regarding multiple devices on the property, for which an Oath Violation was served. Prior to these elevator-related issues, there were complaints in 2019 and 2020 regarding electrical wiring concerns and debris, though these were determined to warrant no violations upon inspection. More recent history suggests improved maintenance oversight, with the building successfully passing rodent inspections in 2011, 2018, and most recently in May 2024, indicating effective pest control practices.

The property has maintained a clean record regarding bedbug infestations, with all annual reports from 2020 to the present showing zero infested, eradicated, or re-infested units. A facade maintenance violation was recorded in 2018 regarding roof shingles on the north and east elevations, though no penalties were imposed. While the building has experienced various maintenance issues over the years, the recent lack of significant violations, combined with the building's consistent rodent control compliance and zero bedbug incidents in recent years, suggests improved operational stability in recent times.