Raphael Toledano, President of Brookhill Properties, LLC, a premier New York based real estate investment company, is pleased to announce its funding and participation in the maintenance and upkeep of the Creative Little Garden, located at 530 E. 6th Street between Avenues A and B.
Since 1982, the Garden has been a sanctuary of peace for the neighborhood and is considered by East Villagers and New Yorker’s alike to be their “community backyard” garden. Members collaborate on the landscaping of the garden, but there are no plots tended by individual gardeners. By doing this, the space has been able to become the tranquil oasis that many recognize it is today.
“We are happy to be giving back to the community in a way that helps maintain a peaceful and safe space for so many East Village’s residents and visitors,” said Courtney Knopf, Executive Vice President at Brookhill Properties. “By contributing to the Creative Little Garden, Raphael Toledano and Brookhill Properties hope to promote a greater appreciation for the environment as well as a close and supportive community.”
The Creative Little Garden is funded solely by contributions and dues paid by their members. There are expenses necessary for the maintenance of the space, but there is no paid staff. The space operates under the jurisdiction of the NYC Parks Department with help specifically from the Greenthumb program and the NYC Council on the Environment.
In his short time as a landlord in the East Village, the 26-year-old Toledano has made headlines in media outlets citywide for alleged harassment and intimidation of tenants, for which he is reportedly under state investigation at 444 E. 13th St. Local elected officials have also blasted Toledano for unsafe living conditions after the the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found elevated lead levels in the common areas of three of his buildings.
Toledano is the latest controversial East Village landlord to announce programs intended to give back to the neighborhood. Back in the spring, Icon Realty donated empty retail spaces for Celebrity Catwalk to hold adoption and fundraising events and unveiled plans for public art at several of its properties.
Updated 7/17
Via the comments...
The Creative Little Garden said...
There definitely have been no donations in the past two months to the garden. The press release reported in this article was dated Tuesday last week, and I learned about it late last night. I've been hunting around the internet today, and have found seemingly old, but vague, claims that Toledano has donated to the garden in the past. If true, it was a terrible mistake. Toledano does not represent the values of the Creative Little Garden. Franciose's ashes are there, and she would shoot rose thorns at him.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Landlord of 444 E. 13th St. threatened 'to drop dynamite on the building'
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
More about alleged harassment and landlord visits via Brookhill Properties
In op-ed, Raphael Toledano says that he wants 'to make the East Village a better place'
Report: East Village landlord Raphael Toledano allegedly misrepresented himself as a lawyer
The Villager looks at landlord Raphael Toledano's criminal past
An open letter to landlord Raphael Toledano from the Toledano Tenants Coalition
Report: Management company sues Raphael Toledano for backing out of $130 million loan
Ongoing concerns about demolition work and elevated lead levels in Toledano-owned buildings
