Plans to transform Chelsea building into single-family mansion hit a roadblock

His name is Jonathan

Conversion plans for 442 West 22nd Street, the plain brick building in the center, are currently being blocked by a tenant
Conversion plans for 442 West 22nd Street, the plain brick building in the center, are currently being blocked by a tenant

It seems every other building in Manhattan is being turned into a “mega-mansion” these days. But plans to transform a building of two-dozen apartments into a gigantic single-family home were foiled when someone unexpected showed up at a community board meeting.

Architect William Suk presented plans this week to Community Board 4 to convert 442 West 22nd Street, between Ninth and 10th avenues, “back to its original glory.”

But during the meeting one attendee piped up with an objection. “I still live in that building,” Jonathan, a documentary film maker, who declined to share his last name with DNAinfo, said. Jonathan says he has had a lease in the building since 2003.

“My apologies,” Suk said. “I was not aware of that.”

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Jonathan told DNAinfo that since NYC Management took over the building in 2011, it has harassed him for checks he had already paid them and failed to make repairs. They have even allegedly changed the locks on his door when he was away, according to DNAinfo.

Nevertheless, he has rejected buyout offers and he says that he has no plans to leave. [DNAinfo]Christopher Cameron