View-Blocking UES Scaffolding Deprives Landlord Of Thousands: Lawsuit

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The scourge of sidewalk sheds doesn't even spare the landlords of swanky Upper East Side buildings, according to a new lawsuit that centers on a set of view-blocking scaffolding.

In late December, the managers of 555 Park Ave. — an upscale, 12-story co-op — erected a sidewalk shed on the side of the building facing East 62nd Street. It was built in order to comply with the city law that requires sheds to be set up during facade inspections, according to city records.

That was an unwelcome development for the owners of the next-door townhouse at 114 East 62nd St., whose building is now half-obscured behind green plywood and metal beams. At the time, the building's landlord had put one of its duplex apartments up for rent, and had an accepted offer from a tenant willing to pay $19,500 per month.

But that offer was promptly withdrawn when the prospective tenant got a look inside, according to a lawsuit filed this week by the townhouse's owner.

The suit, filed against the owners and managers of 555 Park Ave., contends that the sidewalk shed encroaches onto the townhouse's property and was built illegally, without any written notice or agreement from the next-door owner. While the townhouse's landlord is named only as an LLC, public records show the building is owned by Margot Berg: a realtor who also serves as the townhouse's listing agent.

Besides taking away the landlord's rental income, the sidewalk shed also poses a hazard to the townhouse's remaining tenants thanks to a loose piece of wood that has been left dangling over the doorway of 114 East 62nd St. — proof that it was installed negligently, Berg alleges through the LLC.

Meanwhile, Berg's LLC also alleges that the sidewalk shed has prevented her from resolving a city-issued violation for dangerous sidewalk conditions in front of the townhouse — which, if left unaddressed, will force the townhouse's insurance company to revoke its coverage, according to the suit.

The suit was filed against Tudor Realty Services Corp., which manges the building at 555 Park Ave., as well as the building's co-op board. Tudor did not return a request for comment on Thursday, while the board could not be reached for comment.

Berg's LLC is asking a judge to order that construction work be halted at 555 Park Ave. until its owners "properly" protect the next-door townhouse and stop their alleged trespassing.