Building on East 11th Street To Be Sold?

Resident says new owners want tenants out by end of year

An apartment building on East 11th Street appears to be in the process of changing hands despite no official record of a transaction and no word on who the new owner will be.

According to city records, the building, at 504-508 East 11th Street, has been owned by Gotham City International Ltd. since at least 2005. It has an estimated market value of $2.7 million, according to its latest tax bill, and is in tax class 2, meaning it has more than 10 residential units. New York State records indicate the owner of Gotham City International Ltd is Joel Wetzberger of Brooklyn. A number for Wetzberger could not be found.

"It's a big rumor," said a man working in the building's basement when recently asked by a reporter. He identified himself as the building's superintendent and said he lived there. "I haven't been evicted, nobody's been evicted. I have no interest in talking to you, there's only rumors."

However, another resident who declined to give a name said the building is being sold. The resident also declined to say whether they had been sent an eviction notice.

Another resident who asked not to be identified confirmed that the building is being sold but was unsure if the sale had been finalized. The resident also said none of the tenants have leases and feel powerless.

"I know that the new owners want us out by the end of the year," said the resident, who did not want to be seen discussing the matter and quickly moved down the block.

In a further sign that the building is being sold, Good Old Lower East Side, a housing rights advocacy group, recently held a meeting for residents to discuss what could be done about the apparent sale.

When a reporter showed up to the meeting he was asked to leave.

"We're talking strategy right now so I don't think it's a good idea for you to hang around," said a man who appeared to be leading the meeting.

Requests for an interview from GOLES went unreturned.

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