Disputes in actual property are nothing new. However a dispute that leads an proprietor’s brother to being handcuffed? That’s a rarer breed.
Thomas Makkos was arrested final week for failing to supply entry to 349 West thirty seventh Avenue within the Garment District, which his brother, George, is making an attempt to promote. Apex Investments, which is below contract to buy the six-story constructing, was making an attempt to conduct customary inspections, Crain’s reported.
In court docket filings, Apex alleges Thomas denied entry to the commercial property on not less than 5 events. That features two incidents in Could that noticed an environmental consulting crew on web site for a full day and an incident the place Thomas was given 48 hours’ discover beforehand.
Thomas’ lawyer declined to remark to the publication, whereas George’s lawyer didn’t reply to a request for remark.
It’s unclear why Thomas is making an attempt to stop his brother from promoting the Garment District property, which homes Rainbow Wholesale and Good Enterprise Corp. The Makkos household made a fortune with its M&T Pretzel meals cart enterprise earlier than branching into actual property; Thomas owns the Nello restaurant, which is within the means of relocating after an obvious hire dispute.
However this constructing has introduced issues for George earlier than. Within the fall of 2024, he signed a take care of an govt of Stealth Deeptech Firm to promote the constructing, just for it to crumble, main George to accuse the manager of a contract breach.
That failed sale led to a lawsuit and countersuit, placing a brief injunction on a sale to Apex. That authorized dispute is in a discovery section, additional holding up any sale of the property.
Apex can maintain busy with different initiatives within the metropolis because it waits out the battle. Final month, it filed plans to redevelop a Speedway fuel station web site at 530 Utica Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens right into a 15-story, 224-unit housing venture.
The proposed 200,000-square-foot constructing will characteristic retail and enterprise area on the bottom ground, together with facilities akin to a tenant lounge, laundry amenities, outside area and neighborhood area.
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