Tenant’s Plight: Living Without Heat in a Brooklyn Building Owned by Giannis Antetokounmpo
A tenant in a Brooklyn building owned by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been living without heat in his apartment since February 23, when a blizzard dropped over 19 inches of snow on New York City. According to city laws, building owners are required to maintain a minimum temperature of 68 degrees during the day and 62 degrees at night between October and May when the outside temperature drops below 55 degrees. Unfortunately, these standards are not being met in this case.
The tenant, a longtime Bucks fan, has been trying to get Giannis’s attention by sending him Instagram direct messages, hoping to resolve the issue. In an interview conducted on March 4, the tenant shared his experience of living without heat and his attempts to reach out to Giannis. The tenant’s identity has been protected due to threats related to his profession, which could potentially reveal his address.
Background and Discovery of Giannis’s Ownership
The tenant moved into the apartment in October 2020, attracted by the offer of two free months’ rent. He discovered that Giannis was the new owner of the building through a tweet from a trade organization that announces when famous people buy apartment buildings. The tenant was surprised to see his address on Twitter, and even more astonishing was the fact that Giannis, the star player of the team he grew up watching, had bought the building.
The news spread quickly through a WhatsApp group chat for the building and its sister building, with some people initially skeptical about the news. However, when someone found a link to the signed lease with Giannis’s signature, the reality of the situation sank in. Giannis had bought the buildings in November, and since then, the tenant has had a mixed experience with the new management.
Experience Under New Management
The tenant reported that the building has had security issues, including package theft and unauthorized access. Although the new management has been more responsive in addressing these issues, the current heat problem has been a significant concern. The heat in the building and its sister building has been out since the blizzard, and the tenant has been using layers and blankets to cope with the cold.
The management company has promised to provide space heaters, but the tenant is unsure when the heating issue will be resolved. The tenant has been reporting the issue to 311 and has had a visit from the housing authority. The tenant is also considering organizing with other tenants to take further action.
Accountability and Giannis’s Involvement
The tenant acknowledged that Giannis likely has no direct control over the management of the building and that the issue lies with the management company or the building’s design. The tenant joked that the situation has not changed his perception of Giannis, as it is unlikely that the NBA star is aware of the issue.
However, the tenant did express frustration that the heating issue is not a new problem, having experienced a similar issue four years ago when he was without heat for two and a half weeks. The tenant received a rent abatement at the time and is expecting a similar resolution this time.
A Bucks Fan’s Perspective
The tenant grew up in Milwaukee and has been a die-hard Bucks fan since childhood. He had season tickets and even won “Fan of the Game” twice. His favorite players included Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, and Sam Cassell. Although he has fond memories of watching the Bucks, the current situation has made him realize that even celebrities like Giannis can have indirect impacts on people’s lives.
The tenant has considered reaching out to Giannis through social media or by attending a game with a sign to raise awareness about the issue. While the situation is unfortunate, the tenant hopes that it will be resolved soon and that Giannis’s ownership will bring positive changes to the building and its tenants.
