The Caring Developer, or Is Seeing Really Believing?

"Welcome to Greenwood Heights... the happy home of pioneers, families, innovators, creative minds and thrill-seekers alike. "

New rental apartments are available at 672-4 Fourth Avenue, and 168 20th Street. The three buildings, comprising two mixed-used buildings (two residential apartments plus retail apiece) and a six-family, have now become The Gardens on 4th.  Here's part of the realtor's description:

"Seeing is believing at the Gardens on 4th.  The brand-new, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences below the roof decks are just as impressive. High ceilings, windows everywhere and enough natural light to nearly warrant wearing sunscreen in your living room. Central A/C, granite and stainless steel in the kitchens, tasteful bathroom finishes and USB-capable electric outlets that scream "finally a developer who cares!"

According to DOB records, Brolub Holdings is recorded as having owned these properties since 2009, and has racked up a number of violations, including the following:

674 Fourth:
WORK WITHOUT PERMITS; ILLEGAL WORK COMBINING TWO LOTS MAKING A PASSAGEWAY FROM 674 4 AVE TO 168 20 ST W/NO BIN OR RECORD OF CONTRACTOR FOR CONVERSION FAILED TO MERGE LOTS.ACCESS FOR FD TO 168 20 ST IS THROUGH 674 4 (2012)

168 20th:
WORK W/OUT A PERMIT NOTED AT 3RD STORY, PUBLIC HALLWAY STAIRS TO BULKHEAD, PARTITIONS WERE ERECTED TO CHANGE ORIGINAL FLOOR LAYOUT, ENCLOSING PUBLIC STAIRS TO ROOF, W/I OR INSIDE 3RD STORY FRONT APT. AT 1ST FL.(2012)

RESIDENCE ALTERED AS OCCUPANCY FOR A DWELLING FOR MORE THAN THE LEGALLY APPROVED # OF FAMILIES. BUILDING DEPT. RECORDS INDICATE BLDG AS MULTIFAMILY DWELLING W/ORDINARY CELLAR NOW IN CELLAR A CLASS A APT.IS CREATED (2009)

WORK W/OUT A PERMIT NOTED ILLEGAL CLASS A APT BUILT IN CELLAR W/FULL HT PARTITION WALLS ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING WORK CONSISTING OF 1 KITCHEN W/ELECTRIC STOVE 1 3PC BATHROOM W/SHOWER 3 ROOMS SIZE APROX  18FTC55FT  (2009)

WORK W/O PERMIT; ILLEGAL WORK NOTED ON 3RD FLOOR RECONFORMED LAYOUT OF APARTMENTS ON 3RD FLR AS PER HPD RECORD APT WERE DESIGNED AS RAILROAD DESIGN SO BOTH UNITS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO FIRE ESCAPE. NOW APT 3F HAS NO (2012)

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN BLDG WALL(S) OR APPURTENANCES. NOTED: EXTERIOR WOODEN 2' X 4' AT THE ROOF LEVEL ON THE FACADE IS MISSING ABOVE THE MAIN ENTRANCE & SPALLING ... (2012)

Most violations have been resolved, but there are still two open Failure to Comply violations at 168 20th.  There are too many DOB complaints to list here, and besides, there are no means of verifying their accuracy, but they're interesting reading.  Here are a couple:

THERE IS A WATER LEAK COMING FROM THE CEILING OF THE BARBERSHOP.  IT CAUSED FLOODING IN THE BARBERSHOP AND DESTROYED HIS SHOP. LANDLORD HAS NOT FIXED THE LEAK AND HAS BEEN NOTIFIED MANY TIMES (2013)

A WORKER WAS JUST INJURED WHEN A WALL COLLAPSED (2014)

A caring developer?  You decide.

With the newest makeover, & a new name, how much are apartments at the buildings renting for? The website Apartable shows a 2 bedroom at 674 for rent at $3,400, and a 1 bedroom at 168 20th for rent at $2,600.