Raphael Toledano's Brookhill Properties
recently closed on a 16-building East Village portfolio.
An EVG reader who lives at one of the properties, 327 E. E. 12th St., passed along the welcome package that the Brookhill Property management team left yesterday for residents — a small box of chocolates… which accompanied a fairly innocuous letter about the change in ownership.
The letter points out that "We pride ourselves on our tenant relations department and will go to all lengths to make sure that you are satisfied with our services."
Beleaguered rent-regulated tenants at the Toledano-owned 444 E. 13th St.
received wine and fruit baskets back in May after the continued lack of basic building services. Earlier in May, residents at No. 444
filed a lawsuit against Toledano and the management company, Goldmark Property Management, for "deplorable conditions" as well as for alleged ongoing threats and harassment. (Toledano later reportedly fired Goldmark Property Management after news of the lawsuit broke.)
In August, state officials served subpoenas on Goldmark Property Managmenet, investigating whether the company threatened tenants with police raids, prostitution stings, evictions and the shut off of essential service, according to
The Real Deal.
According to an article on 444. E. 13th St. that
City Limits published last Thursday, there were 244 open violations of the city's housing maintenance code for hazards such as cracks in the walls and ceilings and infestations of cockroaches, mice, and bedbugs at one point in June. Since then, City Limits reports that the number of open violations at the East 13th Street building has been reduced to 84.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Landlord of 444 E. 13th St. threatened 'to drop dynamite on the building'
Reader report: Large portfolio of East Village buildings ready to change hands
Report: State investigating East Village landlord Raphael Toledano
Report: Uncle suing nephew broker Raphael Toledano over $100 million East Village deal
Report: Raphael Toledano completes purchase of 16-building East Village portfolio