220 Water Street
Analysis
The building presents a low‑risk profile with solid equity and landmark status, but buyers should budget for the $17,500 safety‑violation debt and address the existing open violations before proceeding.
The good
- Low assessed risk with no legal proceedings or tax lien issues
- Landmarked building adds prestige and potential tax benefits
- Market value ($59.8M) far exceeds assessed value ($26.9M), indicating strong equity
- Built FAR (3.94) is within residential limit (4), confirming compliance
The bad
- Seven unpaid safety‑related violations represent a $17,500 debt that new owners must settle
- Twelve open violations (0.1 per unit) suggest ongoing compliance work
- Unused buildable square footage (2,640 sq ft) limits future expansion potential
- Safety‑violation penalties, while modest, are a hidden cost that buyers often overlook
Written by a language model from this property's own figures — the same numbers shown on this page. It introduces no facts of its own: every figure it cites is checked against the data before the text is shown. It is a reading of the numbers, not a professional opinion, and it can be wrong about emphasis even when it is right about arithmetic. See our methodology.
What the numbers say
Generated from this property's own figures using the rules set out in our methodology. Every statement below refers to a number shown on this page.
Unused development capacity on the lot
Built floor-area ratio is 3.94 against a permitted 4.00, leaving 0.06 of unused ratio — roughly 2,640 sq ft of buildable area on a lot of 44,000 sq ft. Treat that as a ceiling under the floor-area rules, not a plan: height limits, setbacks, lot coverage, landmark status and sitting tenants can each reduce it, in some cases to nothing.
Unresolved conditions on record
12 violations remain open across 135 residential units (about 0.1 per apartment), against an outstanding penalty balance of $0.00. A significant open count with little money attached usually means habitability items that were never certified as corrected, rather than a few expensive enforcement actions — an administrative problem more than a financial one, though it is still a problem.
Last recorded sale
Recorded at $22,912,500 on 8 Sep 2005 — $169,722 per residential unit, $132 per built square foot, 0.85× the assessed value.
Assessed value trend
Assessed value has risen 21.0% across the 5 assessment years on record (2023 to 2027), standing at $26,932,050. Because tax is levied on the assessed figure rather than on market value, a sustained move here tends to show up in the bill.
Development & zoning
Floor-area ratio
| Built | 3.94 |
|---|---|
| Residential limit | 4.00 |
| Commercial limit | 2.00 |
| Community-facility limit | 4.00 |
Development headroom (calculated) calculated
| Highest permitted ratio | 4.00 |
|---|---|
| Unused ratio | 0.06 |
| Unused buildable area | 2,640 sq ft |
| Lot area | 44,000 sq ft |
Landmarked — Individual Landmark + Historic District
| Historic district | DUMBO Historic District |
|---|---|
| Designated | 16 Aug 2026 |
Landmark status restricts exterior alterations and may require city approval for any work — a real constraint on both cost and timeline.
Value & taxes
Assessment
| Assessed total | $26,932,050 |
|---|---|
| Assessed land | $1,999,800 |
| Assessed building | $24,932,250 |
| Market value on record | $59,849,000 |
| Assessed as % of market | 45.0% |
Tax
| Tax class | 2 |
|---|---|
| Taxable assessed | $24,546,870 |
| Tax rate | 12.502% |
| Estimated annual levy | $3,068,849.69 |
| Tax exemption (assessed value) | J-51 — $4,564,749 (through 2028) |
| Tax abatement | J-51 — $204,631 (through 2033) |
The levy is an estimate — taxable value × the published rate for the class. It does not account for exemptions or abatements the property may carry, and will not match an actual bill. It is not the property's total debt to the city: unpaid tax and water arrears are not shown anywhere on this page.
Assessed value by year
| Year | Assessed value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $26,932,050 | — |
| 2026 | $26,775,900 | +0.6% |
| 2025 | $24,785,550 | +8.0% |
| 2024 | $21,976,650 | +12.8% |
| 2023 | $22,264,200 | -1.3% |
Building & occupancy
Structure
| Year built | 1900 |
|---|---|
| Floors | 7 |
| Building area | 173,457 sq ft |
| Residential area | 156,077 sq ft |
| Commercial area | 17,380 sq ft |
Occupancy
| Total units | 136 |
|---|---|
| Residential units | 135 |
| Rent-stabilized | 135 |
| Storefronts | 1 |
| Residential Avg unit size | 1,156 sq ft (calculated) |
| Commercial Avg unit size | 17,380 sq ft (calculated) |
| Building class | D7 |
Neighborhood, risk & energy
Neighborhood & transit
| Nearest subway | York St (F) — 0.12 mi |
|---|---|
| School district | 13 |
| Police precinct | 84 |
| Nearest firehouse | Engine 205/Ladder 118 — 74 Middagh Street |
Location risk
| Flood zone | Minimal hazard (Zone X) |
|---|---|
| Hurricane evacuation zone | Zone 4 |
| Environmental restriction | Hazardous materials |
Energy & emissions
| Energy use intensity | 55.7 kBtu/ft² |
|---|---|
| Greenhouse-gas emissions | 793 metric tons/yr |
Comparable sales
| Address | Sale date | Price | Sq ft | $/sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 177-183 Front Street | 2025-11-05 | $85,000,000 | 136,730 | $622 |
| 200 Water Street, 3a | 2025-09-18 | $4,100,000 | — | — |
| 192 Water Street, 1w | 2025-09-05 | $1,720,000 | — | — |
| 192 Water Street, C | 2024-03-12 | $395,000 | — | — |
| 200 Water Street, Gb | 2023-08-24 | $3,625,000 | — | — |
| 192 Water Street, 1e | 2022-08-11 | $2,693,000 | — | — |
| 200 Water Street, 4c | 2022-07-28 | $3,350,000 | — | — |
| 57 Jay Street | 2022-07-13 | $7,850,000 | 27,448 | $286 |
Record activity
Compliance calculated
| Open violations | 12 |
|---|---|
| Open per residential unit | 0.1 (calculated) |
| Enforcement penalties | $0.00 |
| Safety-violation penalties | Not available |
| Total penalties owed | $17,500.00 (calculated) |
| On tax-lien sale list | No |
Activity
| Complaints recorded | 245 |
|---|---|
| Permits / alterations | 58 |
| Recorded documents | 69 |
| Legal proceedings | 0 |
Total penalties owed combines two separate debts — enforcement penalties (from summonses) and safety-violation penalties (unfiled inspections and reports on boilers, elevators, facades and energy use). The second kind accrues quietly and is routinely missed; it is a standing debt on the building, not a fine someone can walk away from. The safety figure could not be retrieved for this property, so no total is shown — we would rather show nothing than a total that silently omits it. Neither figure includes unpaid property tax or water and sewer arrears, which are frequently the largest number of all and appear nowhere on this page. For a true payoff figure, go to the city directly.
Ownership & last recorded sale
Owner of record
| Owner | Hawthorne Village LLC |
|---|---|
| Parcel | 3000410017 |
| Block | 41 |
| Lot | 17 |
| Mortgage on record | $4,983,086 (2018) — Sovereign Bank |
| Fixture liens | 4 active fixture liens |
Last recorded transfer
| Date | 8 Sep 2005 |
|---|---|
| Recorded price | $22,912,500 |
| Price per unit | $169,722 |
| Price vs assessed | 0.85× |
Owner of record comes from the public land-use record and may lag a recent sale. It is frequently a holding company rather than an individual. If you own or manage this property and believe something here is wrong, tell us — we read and respond to every message of that kind.
Open violations
Open violations only. A violation that was raised and later corrected is not counted — an older building accumulates hundreds of those, and the number says more about its age than its condition.
| Issued | Category | Class | Status | Amount due | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Oct 2023 | Building | Elevators | Active | — | Violation Issued-Failure To File 2019 Cat1 Test Affirmation of Correction |
| 23 Oct 2023 | Building | Elevators | Active | — | Violation Issued-Failure To File 2018 Cat1 Test Affirmation of Correction |
| 23 Oct 2023 | Building | Elevators | Active | — | Violation Issued-Failure To File 2018 Cat1 Test Affirmation of Correction |
| 23 Oct 2023 | Building | Elevators | Active | — | Violation Issued-Failure To File 2018 Cat1 Test Affirmation of Correction |
| 23 Oct 2023 | Building | Elevators | Active | — | Violation Issued-Failure To File 2019 Cat1 Test Affirmation of Correction |
| 1 Dec 2021 | Building | Energy Grade - a local law | Active | — | FTP-EN-EGRDEA |
| 29 Apr 2021 | Building | Energy Grade - a local law | Active | — | FTP-EN-EGRDEA |
| 9 Dec 2009 | Building | — | V-Building VIOLATION - ACTIVE | — | E-ELEVATOR ELEVATORREQUIRED |
| 9 Dec 2009 | Building | — | V-Building VIOLATION - ACTIVE | — | E-ELEVATOR ELEVATORREQUIRED |
| 9 Dec 2009 | Building | — | V-Building VIOLATION - ACTIVE | — | E-ELEVATOR ELEVATORREQUIRED |
| 2 Nov 2006 | Housing | B | NOT COMPLIED WITH | — | SECTION 27-2040 ADM CODE PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT OR NEAR THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT ENTRANCEWAY OF THE BUILDING AND KEEP SAME BURNING FROM SUNSET EVERY DAY TO SUNRISE ON THE DAY FOLLOWING MINIMUM 100 WATTS AT FRONT AREAWAY |
| 16 Aug 1993 | Building | — | V-Building VIOLATION - ACTIVE | — | a local law-a local law/91 - BOILERS BOILER REQUIRED |
Complaints
A complaint is an allegation, not a finding — many are dismissed. A sustained pattern is nevertheless informative about how a building is run.
| Date | Problem | Type | Status | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Aug 2026 | Partial Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 5 Aug 2026 |
| 4 Aug 2026 | Partial Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 4 Aug 2026 |
| 4 Aug 2026 | Blocked Sidewalk | Illegal Parking | Closed | 4 Aug 2026 |
| 2 Aug 2026 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 2 Aug 2026 |
| 2 Aug 2026 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 2 Aug 2026 |
| 5 Jul 2026 | N/A | Illegal Fireworks | Closed | 5 Jul 2026 |
| 4 Jul 2026 | Parking Permit Improper Use | Illegal Parking | Closed | 5 Jul 2026 |
| 21 Jun 2026 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 21 Jun 2026 |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Blocked Hydrant | Illegal Parking | Closed | 10 Jun 2026 |
| 17 Apr 2026 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 17 Apr 2026 |
| 17 Apr 2026 | Partial Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 17 Apr 2026 |
| 1 Apr 2026 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 1 Apr 2026 |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Engine Idling | Noise - Vehicle | Closed | 3 Mar 2026 |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Partial Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 18 Feb 2026 |
| 1 Feb 2026 | Dog Waste | Dirty Condition | Closed | 9 Feb 2026 |
| 15 Jan 2026 | Banging/Pounding | Noise - Residential | Closed | 15 Jan 2026 |
| 17 Dec 2025 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 17 Dec 2025 |
| 14 Dec 2025 | Loud Music/Party | Noise - Street/Sidewalk | Closed | 14 Dec 2025 |
| 10 Dec 2025 | Noise: Alarms (NR3 | Noise | Closed | 15 Dec 2025 |
| 24 Oct 2025 | Double Parked Blocking Traffic | Illegal Parking | Closed | 24 Oct 2025 |
| 18 Oct 2025 | Partial Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 18 Oct 2025 |
| 18 Oct 2025 | Partial Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 18 Oct 2025 |
| 17 Oct 2025 | Plate Condition - Noisy | Street Condition | Closed | 17 Oct 2025 |
| 9 Oct 2025 | Other | Noise - Helicopter | In Progress | — |
| 28 Sep 2025 | Plate Condition - Noisy | Street Condition | Closed | 29 Sep 2025 |
| 19 Sep 2025 | Lights From Parking Lot Shining On Building | Emergency Response Team (ERT | Closed | 8 Oct 2025 |
| 17 Sep 2025 | Plate Condition - Noisy | Street Condition | Closed | 19 Sep 2025 |
| 11 Sep 2025 | Plate Condition - Noisy | Street Condition | Closed | 12 Sep 2025 |
| 24 Aug 2025 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 24 Aug 2025 |
| 20 Aug 2025 | Plate Condition - Noisy | Street Condition | Closed | 25 Aug 2025 |
| 4 Aug 2025 | Loud Music/Party | Noise - Street/Sidewalk | Closed | 4 Aug 2025 |
| 1 Aug 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 1 Aug 2025 |
| 31 Jul 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 1 Aug 2025 |
| 31 Jul 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 4 Aug 2025 |
| 21 Jul 2025 | Noise: Jack Hammering (NC2 | Noise | Closed | 22 Jul 2025 |
| 13 Jul 2025 | Lead Kit Request (Residential) (L10 | Lead | Closed | 14 Jul 2025 |
| 8 Jul 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 9 Jul 2025 |
| 8 Jul 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 9 Jul 2025 |
| 10 May 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 13 May 2025 |
| 7 May 2025 | Noise: Private Carting Noise (NQ1 | Noise | Closed | 9 May 2025 |
| 25 Apr 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 25 Apr 2025 |
| 25 Apr 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 25 Apr 2025 |
| 25 Apr 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 25 Apr 2025 |
| 25 Apr 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 25 Apr 2025 |
| 1 Apr 2025 | Banging/Pounding | Noise - Residential | Closed | 1 Apr 2025 |
| 19 Mar 2025 | Ventilation | Indoor Air Quality | Closed | 19 Mar 2025 |
| 2 Mar 2025 | No Access | Blocked Driveway | Closed | 2 Mar 2025 |
| 28 Feb 2025 | Loud Music/Party | Noise - Residential | Closed | 1 Mar 2025 |
| 5 Feb 2025 | Noise: Construction Equipment (NC1 | Noise | Closed | 5 Feb 2025 |
| 5 Feb 2025 | Noise: Construction Before/After Hours (NM1 | Noise | Closed | 6 Feb 2025 |
Showing the 50 most recent of 150. The full set is available in the interactive report.
Permits & alterations
The absence of a permit does not prove no work was done — it may equally mean work was done without one.
| Issued | Type | Status | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 2021 | Protection and Mechanical Methods | Signed-off | SKYLIGHT PROTECTION PROTECTION PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF SKYLIGHT PROTECTION AS PER PLAN. NO CHANGE IN USE,EGRESS OR OCCUPANCY |
| 22 Jun 2021 | Supported Scaffold | Signed-off | PIPE SCAFFOLD PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF PIPE SCAFFOLD AS PER PLAN. NO CHANGE IN USE,EGRESS OR OCCUPANCY |
| 18 Dec 2015 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 10 Jun 2014 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 20 May 2014 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 11 Jun 2013 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 11 May 2012 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 30 Sep 2011 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 30 Sep 2011 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 2 Sep 2011 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 2 Sep 2011 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 6 Jul 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 6 Jul 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 9 May 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 9 May 2011 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 9 May 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 9 May 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 9 May 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 11 Apr 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 6 Apr 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 6 Apr 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 6 Apr 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 25 Mar 2011 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 18 Mar 2011 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 18 Mar 2011 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 16 Mar 2011 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 14 Dec 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 14 Dec 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 23 Nov 2010 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 23 Nov 2010 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 18 Nov 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 18 Nov 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 30 Sep 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 30 Sep 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 29 Sep 2010 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 12 Aug 2010 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 4 Aug 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 4 Aug 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 4 Aug 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 29 Jan 2010 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 4 Sep 2009 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 4 Sep 2009 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 9 Jul 2009 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 9 Jul 2009 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 16 Jun 2008 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 16 Jun 2008 | A3 | ISSUED | — |
| 30 Apr 2008 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 30 Apr 2008 | A2 | ISSUED | — |
| 19 Dec 2006 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
| 19 Dec 2006 | A1 | ISSUED | — |
Showing the 50 most recent of 58. The full set is available in the interactive report.
Recorded documents
Deeds, mortgages and related instruments recorded against the lot. A recorded amount is not necessarily a market price.
| Recorded | Type | Amount | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Dec 2020 | LDMK | — | — | — |
| 6 Sep 2018 | Mortgage | $4,983,086 | — | — |
| 6 Sep 2018 | Agreement | $52,000,000 | — | — |
| 13 Aug 2018 | TERL | — | — | — |
| 9 Aug 2018 | RPTT&RET | $1,826,974 | — | — |
| 10 Dec 2012 | TL&R | — | — | — |
| 10 Dec 2012 | Agreement | — | — | — |
| 14 Nov 2012 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 14 Nov 2012 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 14 Nov 2012 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 14 Nov 2012 | Agreement | $52,000,000 | — | — |
| 14 Nov 2012 | Mortgage | $7,321,594 | — | — |
| 12 Dec 2011 | SMIS | — | — | — |
| 30 Sep 2011 | EASE | — | — | — |
| 30 Sep 2011 | SAGE | — | — | — |
| 30 Sep 2011 | SUBM | — | — | — |
| 29 Sep 2011 | SAGE | — | — | — |
| 29 Sep 2011 | EASE | — | — | — |
| 29 Sep 2011 | SUBM | — | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | AL&R | $16,125,364 | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | AL&R | $22,600,000 | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | SAGE | — | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | TL&R | — | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | Mortgage | $16,125,364 | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | MLEA | — | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | AL&R | $6,274,636 | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | Agreement | $22,600,000 | — | — |
| 6 Jan 2011 | Mortgage | $6,274,636 | — | — |
| 20 Jul 2010 | CERT | — | — | — |
| 15 Jul 2010 | ZONE | — | — | — |
| 11 Aug 2008 | SAGE | — | — | — |
| 8 Sep 2005 | Agreement | $22,600,000 | — | — |
| 8 Sep 2005 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 8 Sep 2005 | Mortgage | $20,840,580 | — | — |
| 8 Sep 2005 | TL&R | — | — | — |
| 8 Sep 2005 | AL&R | $22,600,000 | — | — |
| 8 Sep 2005 | Deed | $22,912,500 | — | — |
| 8 Sep 2005 | TL&R | — | — | — |
| 23 Aug 2002 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 23 Aug 2002 | Mortgage | $1,000,000 | — | — |
| 9 Oct 2001 | Agreement | — | — | — |
| 9 Oct 2001 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 9 Oct 2001 | SAGE | — | — | — |
| 9 Oct 2001 | Mortgage | $534,500 | — | — |
| 9 Oct 2001 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 18 Jan 1996 | Agreement | — | — | — |
| 18 Jan 1996 | Mortgage | $143,500 | — | — |
| 18 Jan 1996 | SAGE | — | — | — |
| 18 Jan 1996 | Assignment | — | — | — |
| 18 Jan 1996 | Assignment | — | — | — |
Showing the 50 most recent of 69. The full set is available in the interactive report.
About this page
Compiled from New York City public records — data retrieved 5 days ago. Coverage on this parcel: 15 of 15 record groups populated. The derived figures — unused floor-area ratio, buildable area, the assessed-value trend and the per-unit ratios — are calculated by us and appear in no public dataset; the formulas are in the methodology.
This is a research tool, not advice. It is not a title search, a lien search, a survey or an inspection, and it does not replace any of them. If a figure here matters to a decision, verify it at the source. See Terms.