Can I lease my "loft dwelling" to a business seeking walk up office space?

The recent CDC guidelines on returning to office space make working in tall elevator buildings near impossible due to Covid-19 limitations on elevator capacity. I own a loft in the Tribeca Mixed Use District (C6-2A) with a “loft dwelling” designation on the CO. Can I rent my loft to a business who wants space their employees can walk up to without amending the CO?

Guest User | 5 years ago

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scuds | 5 years ago

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Almost certainly you can not. If the CofO lists the space as a residence then you can not legally use it for a commercial space. If an inspector comes you’ll be hit with a vacate order and tens of thousands of dollars worth of fines. If there’s any accident (fall, fire, even theft) your insurance will very likely not pay out and you will be personally liable. It’s unlikely you can change to CofO, you’ll need to have elevator access and be fully sprinklered to have a second floor commercial space, plus you can not have a commercial occupancy at the same level or above residences without having a completely separated means of egress (stairs and corridors).

SoSlope | 5 years ago

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One thing I would not do: turn to an anonymous message board focused on Brooklyn real estate for legal advice on an issue with potentially serious implications for a likely valuable asset. As IronBalls said, talk to a lawyer who knows these things well.

resident2 | 5 years ago

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I am sure your Co-Op or Condo board will have something to say about that. Residential buildings want to protect their residents from strangers in & out of the buildings. Social Distancing responsibilities morally apply at the least.
By returning it to commercial use, you may well loose your rights under the Loft Laws.

IronBalls | 5 years ago

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You ought to talk to a lawyer.