The New York City Department of Buildings has ordered residents in 16 buildings in the city to stop using their balconies because inspections have found them unsafe.
The department started making inspections after Connor Donohue fell to his death March 14 when a railing on his 24th floor balcony gave way at 330 East 39th Street.
Building Department inspectors have been conducting street-level examinations and have also found that about 800 building owners have failed to file inspection reports on the safety of their balconies and terraces that are required every five years in buildings of more than six stories, according to an article by Marc Santora in today's edition of The New York Times.
In the buildings where residents were notified not to use their balconies residents were also warned that inspectors saw anyone on the balconies, the article continued, "they would seal off the outdoor space."
A spokesman for the department told The Times that its inspectors and engineers "have visited more than 530 buildings across the city to determine whether the property owners maintained the exterior of their buildings, including balconies."
Among the buildings where residents were told to stay off their balconies were seven at Co-op City, the enormous high-rise residential development in the Baychester section of The Bronx.
The department started making inspections after Connor Donohue fell to his death March 14 when a railing on his 24th floor balcony gave way at 330 East 39th Street.
Building Department inspectors have been conducting street-level examinations and have also found that about 800 building owners have failed to file inspection reports on the safety of their balconies and terraces that are required every five years in buildings of more than six stories, according to an article by Marc Santora in today's edition of The New York Times.
In the buildings where residents were notified not to use their balconies residents were also warned that inspectors saw anyone on the balconies, the article continued, "they would seal off the outdoor space."
A spokesman for the department told The Times that its inspectors and engineers "have visited more than 530 buildings across the city to determine whether the property owners maintained the exterior of their buildings, including balconies."
Among the buildings where residents were told to stay off their balconies were seven at Co-op City, the enormous high-rise residential development in the Baychester section of The Bronx.
Related Articles
Future New York
NYC apartments with on-site parking from $350K as new Empire Bins to claim curb space
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Future New York
Phillies pitcher's Soho penthouse leads Manhattan contracts; Hampshire House penthouse finds buyer after auction
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Future New York
Bally’s Bronx Casino files construction permits for expansive 19-story waterfront complex
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Future New York
Urban Edens: 20 NYC condo developments with lush resident gardens; Sales launch at The Morgan from $975K
Monday, July 20, 2026
Get To Know
Steals & Deals from $345K: Listings with "Motivated Sellers" or "Priced to Sell"
Friday, July 17, 2026
Future New York
The best new Brooklyn condos with entertainment amenities for watching the World Cup finals
Friday, July 17, 2026
Get To Know
Could free childcare make New York more family-friendly again? + New affordable housing lottos with family-sized units
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Future New York
The Final Frontier: 15 new projects taking shape on Eleventh Avenue + Beautiful Far West Side listings
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Architecture Critic
Carter Horsley
Since 1997, Carter B. Horsley has been the editorial director of CityRealty. He began his journalistic career at The New York Times in 1961 where he spent 26 years as a reporter specializing in real estate & architectural news. In 1987, he became the architecture critic and real estate editor of The New York Post.
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
