Andrew Casanova has lived in a six-by-six room inside the single room occupancy hotel at 125 Bowery for more than 20 years, and for the last decade or so, he's been the only resident living on the second floor. That changed last fall, when he began seeing his new neighbors: Guests at the recently-christened CityNest Hotel.
According to Casanova, the hotel has turned his life upside down—first, from all the demolition and construction that has scattered dust and debris around his humble living space. Then from the guests themselves, who are paying roughly his monthly rent to stay two nights.
The 62-year-old with chronic health issues told Hell Gate that the guests have complained to hotel staff about his coughing fits, that he puts away his groceries too loudly, and that he only wears boxer shorts and a T-shirt when he uses the shared hallway to get to the bathroom.
"They're treating us like third-class citizens," Casanova told Hell Gate. "It's obviously harassment. They really don't give a damn…their greed outweighs all legalities in their way."
Subscribe to read the full story
Become a paid subscriber to Hell Gate to access all of our posts.
Subscribe