Tenants in the long‑troubled Pinnacle buildings are ramping up pressure on city officials after a judge halted the Mamdani administration’s attempt to block the sale of their properties. The city had moved to intervene because of what it called unsafe and deteriorating living conditions.
Residents at 470 Ocean Ave. say they are outraged by the ruling. Many lived without heat and hot water for months. Service was returned only two days ago. They say the city’s effort to pause the sale from the Pinnacle Group to new landlord Summit gave them hope that long‑standing problems would finally be addressed.
Across several boroughs, tenants unfurled banners calling out what they describe as years of neglect. They point to dozens of new violations, including 50 issued at 470 Ocean Ave. this week alone. Many say the judge’s decision felt like a setback, especially after Mayor Mamdani pledged on his first day in office to improve conditions in these buildings.
“It felt like it killed the momentum, but we are not going to let this stop us,” one tenant said. “These buildings were not in disrepair because of rent control. They were in disrepair because of a lack of maintenance and a lack of care.”
In a statement to News 12, Summit said it is committed to making repairs and keeping the housing stock affordable. Tenants say they have heard similar promises before. They want to see real improvements before they believe any new assurances.
“We need the next landlord regardless of who it is, to take conditions here seriously,” said Anthony Scelza, an eight-year tenant.
Residents are now calling on the Mamdani administration to continue applying pressure.
In a statement to News 12 the mayor’s office said that, “This is not the end of our fight to protect Pinnacle tenants and working New Yorkers across the city.” It added that they are looking into additional legal options at the city’s disposal.