$74K Fines For Illegally Converted Harlem Building: DOB

HARLEM, NY — New York City’s Department of Buildings has imposed $74,500 in penalties on the owner of a Hamilton Heights building after inspectors found illegal apartment conversions inside the property.

DOB inspectors issued multiple violations at 61 Hamilton Place, between West 139th Street and West 140th Street, after determining the building’s second floor had been converted from a legal one-family dwelling into an illegal five-family setup with the addition of single-room occupancy units, according to the agency.

According to the Department of Housing and Preservation, the apartment building currently has 194 open violations, including 65 immediately hazardous ones.

Inspectors also cited the property owner for performing construction without a permit after finding full-height partitions had been installed to create additional rooms.

The owner of the building, listed on DOB as Brandon Yasgur, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article will be updated when he does.

Violations were also issued for prohibited hardware, including key-locking devices installed on interior doors, officials said.

The penalties were issued to 61 Hamilton Place Corp., the listed owner of the building.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.