Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
When You Really Hate Your Neighbor
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 8, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 8, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
There's something charming about arguments between neighbors, or in this case, between a resident and the developer next door. The Daily News had a huge picture of an apartment buliding in construction, notable for the fact that the structure is being built around a tree - a real, live tree. John Schwing and ABA Management were unable to reach on agreement over a tree that is on Schwing's property but veers onto the land where ABA is putting up an apartment buildling (which will fit the entire lot). ABA claims that Schwing wanted $20,000 for the tree, so they decided to build around it.
The roots of the 1-foot-diameter tree are sliced in half, a layer of cement is slathered up to the bark and the wooden joists on the new building's second floor are built around a spreading branch. Another tree farther back on the lot is also partially encased in the wall.
The Department of Buildings is going to investigate, because they don't like live trees in walls. It does sound like a welcome door for infestation - and bad drafts. But we have to hand it to ABA - that's certainly brinksmanship.
And since one might say this building is hugging a tree, we suggest you check out Treehugger.
Photograph from the Daily News
Tagged
construction
daily news
department of buildings
jen chung
news
News: NYC
real estate
the daily news
The Department
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 12:43 p.m. ET
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
A 26-year-old died after being shot on the platform at the Midtown station. Commuters are rattled.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
A 26-year-old died after being shot on the platform at the Midtown station. Commuters are rattled.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
By
James Ramsay
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .