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Owners of affordable Rockaway condos sue developer, architect for $210M
Board claims shoddy construction led to water damage, cold rooms
Owners of condominium units at a Rockaway apartment building are suing developer Briarwood Organization and AIA Architects for a combined $210 million over alleged construction defects.
Water’s Edge in Arverne, completed in 2009, is a city-financed condo development for low- and middle-income households. Residents allege that shoddy construction left them with water damage, leaks and $10 million in repair costs. They also claim that boilers were improperly installed, leaving some rooms cold.
“We want housing that is done with proper construction practices and meets the goals of New York City — that is what was promised to us,” condo board president Leonard Yarde told Crain’s. “But we were sold a product that is defective.”
The complex is made up of 65 two-story buildings, with a condo on each floor. Average prices range from $188,000 to $300,000. Lawyer Adam Leitman Bailey is representing the condo board.
The plaintiffs are seeking $150 million from the developer and $60 million from the architect. [Crain’s] — Konrad Putzier