Prospect Park Residence Landlord Sues Children Of Elderly Tenants For $50M

The landlord of an assisted living facility at 1 Prospect Park has filed a suit against children of the elderly residents who remain in the building, according to the New York Post.

Landlord and developer Haysha Deitsch accuses the children of deliberately trying to obstruct his plans to evict the remaining tenants in order for him to sell the building.

Almost two years ago, seniors living in the Prospect Park Residence (1 Prospect Park West at Grand Army Plaza) were given 90 days to find someplace else to live after owners blamed increased costs for the need to close. Deitsch is one of those owners.

“This is just totally crazy,” says defendant Joyce Singer — whose 91-year-old mother has lived in the facility since 2010. “The only thing we care about is the well-being of our parents,” she tells the New York Post.

In 2015, a judge ruled that it is unlawful for Deitsch to evict the tenants who remained while litigation is ongoing. The landlord attempted to sell the building to Sugar Hill Capital Partners for $76.5 million.

“Prospect Park Residence has come under fire in the past for inhospitable living conditions,” the New York Post reports. “Deitsch was even forced to hand over the reins to a temporary receiver last December after he defied court orders to provide heat and hot water, according to attorney John O’Hara, who has seven wrongful death actions pending against the facility.”

After senior citizens were first given the eviction notice from the Prospect Park Residence, elected officials gathered with their families to protest what they called deplorable living conditions in the space.

Regardless of what happens in this case, Deitsch will have an active real estate project in our neighborhood. The developer has filed for the demolition of two auto body shops (243-245 4th Avenue between President and Carroll Streets) in order to make way for an 11-story luxury rental building, inclusive of 16 units. The 118-foot structure will include a pet spa as well as a children’s playroom and private roof deck.