Brooklyn building had no structural complaints until demolition began at neighboring property

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A 96-year-old apartment building in Brooklyn had no recorded structural complaints for years before it suddenly collapsed on Wednesday, November 11. However, records show that concerns about its condition emerged months after demolition began on the neighboring property in September 2025.

The collapse at 1321 Flatbush Ave. killed at least eight people and injured 19 others, including three firefighters, according to the FDNY. The building reportedly came down into an excavation pit at the adjoining construction site, raising questions about whether the work next door contributed to the disaster.

Records from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) show that cracks had been documented on the building's north facade in an inspection report filed in March. The report, commissioned by contractors working for the developers, also described the structure as being in bad condition.

Brooklyn building collapse: Records show cracks emerged after demolition began

Before demolition started on the neighboring lot at 2625 Bedford Ave., the building's record with the DOB was largely clean. The agency had received only two complaints about the property, both in 2019, and neither involved its structural condition. Both were related to an outdoor advertisement displayed without a permit.

The situation changed after demolition began in September 2025. In March, the city ordered construction work at the neighboring site to stop. However, inspectors found that demolition had continued despite the order.

On March 20, inspectors photographed a one-story structure still standing on the Bedford Avenue property. When they returned on April 23, it had been demolished. General contractor N Tech Design of America received a Class 1 violation for ignoring the stop-work order. The company admitted the violation and paid a $10,000 fine.

The DOB eventually lifted the order in May after determining that the issues had been addressed. The developers also had an active permit for excavation and foundation work.

DOB points to unsafe construction work after fatal Brooklyn collapse

The city's investigation has raised further questions about the oversight of the construction site. The license of the third-party inspector assigned to supervise excavation expired in July, and it remains unclear whether the inspector continued working at the property.

In a vacate order issued Thursday, November 12, the DOB blamed the collapse on unsafe construction work at the neighboring Bedford Avenue site. The agency said the building fell to the ground, with sections landing in the adjoining lot.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was "incredibly troubled" that construction continued despite the earlier inspection report highlighting concerns about the building.

Structural experts raise concerns about excavation near old buildings

Architect William Gati told NY1 that buildings dating back around a century often have rubble foundations. Such foundations can crumble when construction crews excavate underneath them without properly reinforcing the surrounding structure.

Structural engineer Tom Winant, president of Straam Group, also stressed the importance of checking buildings before nearby construction begins.

"When a building collapses, I'm upset," Winant told The Post.

He explained that structural safety assessments should go beyond simply looking for visible damage.

"You start with visual assessments but the structure itself, the structural integrity, can be assessed. Preconstruction surveys can go further than visual assessment. You can measure it — it's not cheap but it's the best way to protect the public."

Winant also pointed to weak enforcement and the pressure to cut construction costs as continuing concerns.

"For now, he adds, the building codes are still minimal, everyone wants to save money and the level of enforcement is weak. "Codes need to be enforced better," he said.

Brooklyn building owners and neighboring developers identified

The collapsed building was 96 years old and contained four apartments. One three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with exposed brick was previously listed for $3,550 per month in 2022 and reportedly went off the market within a day.

The neighboring property is owned by an LLC led by Robert Fischman and two partners. They had submitted plans for a nine-story mixed-use development featuring a supermarket on the ground floor and apartments above.

Meanwhile, the collapsed building is owned by Isolag Realty Corp., a company linked to Olufemi Falade.

The building had 98 open violations with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, but most involved older maintenance issues, including peeling lead paint, mice and smoke detector replacements. Many dated back to the 1990s and early 2000s.