These Brooklyn Airbnb listings went above and beyond — literally.
The city has socked the owner of a manufacturing building in Dumbo with thousands in fines and a vacate order after finding tourists — including one who inspectors woke up — sleeping in rooms that the city says were illegally constructed on the roof.
“With illegal construction, including dangerous and unpermitted gas and electrical hookups, the property owner and an Airbnb host showed an astonishing disregard for the safety of visitors to the city,” Christian Klossner, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, said. “These rooms, on the roof of a manufacturing building in Dumbo, offer one more example of how dangerous illegal rentals can be.”
City officials responded to reports to the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement and 311 of illegal hotel activity at the property — 140 Plymouth St., owned by Plymouth Realty Corporation — and found five residential units constructed on the roof of the two-story building, where the certificate of occupancy calls for manufacturing on the first and second floor, according to copies of the summonses issued.
Three of the rooms were occupied with what the mayor’s office called “illegal transient use” — tourists who told inspectors they were from Minneapolis, London and Massachusetts.
The units were advertised on Airbnb by a host who lists his name as Isaac, and investigators discovered a fourth listing from the same host that appeared to be on the same rooftop. The listings boasted “amazing views,” “rooftop access” and proximity to hip restaurants — with one ad showing off a view of Manhattan underneath the Manhattan Bridge.
While the scenery is great, the curb appeal is a little lacking: A photo from the mayor’s office show a structure that is all black to match the rooftop. Another shows a narrow pathway between sliding glass doors and the edge of the roof.
The rooms came with one or two beds, bathrooms, televisions, small sitting areas and microwaves, and had racked up more than 40 reviews in April and May — mostly positive, though some complained about the noise from the subway line directly overhead on the Manhattan Bridge. The listings were taken down after the News inquired about them.
To access the rooms, visitors would use key card systems at entrances on Pearl St. and Anchorage St. to walk up two flights to another key card box, where they could access a rooftop hallway and the rooms, according to the city.
But nobody will be checking in anytime soon — the property owner was issued a vacate order that notes “imminent danger to life and public safety” because of a lack of required exits, fire alarms and two unauthorized gas lines. And Airbnb said it had suspended the listings while the company investigates the listings.
“Safety is our top priority and we have many steps in place to ensure our hosts provide a safe environment for their guests,” spokesman Peter Schottenfels said. “The overwhelming majority of New York City hosts share their own home occasionally to earn a little extra money; those are the folks we’re fighting to protect.”
The fines were issued to the property owner, Plymouth Realty Corporation. Messages left with those answering the phone at the company’s number were not returned. Attempts to reach the host were unsuccessful.
Summonses were issued for work without a permit, for $1,600; occupancy contrary to the certificate of occupancy, $2,400; failure to provide fire alarms for transient use, $1,600; failure to provide adequate egress for transient use, $1,200; and illegal conversion of three or more units, which carries a base penalty of $3,200 a day plus $1,000 a day, for a maximum of $48,200.
The base penalties plus daily fines could add up to $55,000, according to the city.
