Tenants at 151 Norfolk Street Fearful of Takeover by Notorious Landlord with Harassment History
This image has been archived or removed.
Residents of 151 Norfolk Street are freaking out. Especially the rent-regulated ones. Their tenement building at the corner of Stanton Street just changed hands last week for an undisclosed sum. While city records aren’t yet updated to reflect the transaction, the landlord is revealed to be one of the bad guys.
We just received a tip that “Rent stabilized tenants were notified by R.A. Cohen & Associates about purchase of 151 Norfolk Street and are very worried what is to come.” (You can read the full letter below.) With good reason. This company is known for its poor behavior in Chinatown, where more than a year of alleged harassment had previously transpired. The firm purchased 135-137 Eldridge Street in 2014 for $11 million and reportedly resorted to the tenant harassment playbook – evictions, buyouts, changing apartment numbers, and hazardous interior demolition as intimidation.
The letter, addressed to the tenants of 151 Norfolk Street, notes that “effective June 15, 2016, ownership of 151 Norfolk Street has been transferred to 151 Norfolk Associates LLC c/o R.A. Cohen & Associates, Inc.” There is also a “commitment to quality management” from the full-service real estate investment company, and how they “look forward to putting our expertise to work on your behalf.” For rent-regulated tenants, that “expertise” may or may not signal more of the same.
Recent Stories
Displaced Chinatown Business Returns Months After Devastating Fire
Four months after a deadly fire knocked out 78 Mulberry Street, one of its businesses returned to the scene. Ewa Trading Company reopened in its former Chinatown home earlier this week. The store had spent some of the interim displacement period selling from a shuttered Vietnamese restaurant a few paces north. The two-alarm fire broke […]
EDC Sues Essex Restaurant for Back Rent over Former Essex Market Lease
Three years removed from its relocation across Rivington Street, the city filed suit against the Essex restaurant for alleged unpaid rent. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) sued Essex for nearly $60,000 in unpaid back rent on the former Essex Market building it previously occupied, according to the lawsuit filed Monday. The city entity claims that […]
Exile on Orchard Street: Tenement Museum Recreates Exhibits During Renovations
The Tenement Museum is amidst a preservation project at 97 Orchard Street, but will continue its programming with replicas not too far away. The 1863-era tenement this past Sunday embarked on “vital” restoration work to preserve its walls, floors, roof, as well as the installation of a new HVAC system that will provide improved climate […]
Former Home of Stanton Social on the LES Hits Market for $5.9M
Stanton Social has been in the grave for nearly four years. Now, its former home is back on the market. The two-story building – located at 99 Stanton Street in Hell Square – carries an asking price of $5.9 million. B6 Real Estate Advisors is listed as the exclusive brokerage for the property, which has […]
DOT to Pave Pock-Marked Pell Street; Sheds Removed
Pell Street is finally on deck for a resurfacing, forcing numerous Chinatown businesses to dismantle their street shed annexes. Those who operate outdoor dining sheds along Pell Street received notice this week from the Department of Transportation to dismantle structure ahead of scheduled street repaving. This small neighborhood street – which once terminated at Division – […]
