20 Grand Avenue: It Could Get Ugly

There’s a classic artists-versus-landlord fight brewing at 20 Grand Avenue. For years, the 60,000-square-foot commercially-zoned warehouse has been inhabited by a mix of Pratt students and young creative types in a mutually beneficial don’t-ask-don’t-tell understanding with the landlord. (One couple had their loft profiled in the New York Times a couple of years ago). As the real estate market has picked up in the area, the tenants claim, the landlord has steadily tried to make the building less liveable (removing laundry facilities, not fixing the elevator in a timely manner, removing heating from common areas) in an effort to force them out; over the past year he has refused to renew leases, but allowed tenants to live on a month-by-month basis. Last week, they received the eviction letter below, in which the landlord formally, and probably not too wisely, recognized them as residential tenants.

Meanwhile, the owner has been trying to get the building’s C of O changed to residential; since the change has not been forthcoming, he’s resorted to trying to sell the units as commercial condos with the marketing pitch, “Own a Grand Home for Your Business.” Wink, wink. The property is listed under “New Home Developments” on the Douglas Elliman site despite their status as commercial condos.

We’re curious about what the market is for commercial condos. Does anyone know how 241 231 Norman Avenue fared? What’s it like trying to get financing for something like this if you’re just a small mom-and-pop business? GMAP P*Shark