A real estate executive is embroiled in a legal battle with Strokes bassist Nicolai Freitur over who owns their backyard.
Cushfield and Wakeman chairman Toby Dodd and his wife moved into a $3.3 million 42 King Street in Soho, New York in 2017.
The couple later bought the garden at 44 King St., along with a first-floor room in the building, from the previous owner for $300,000, according to court documents.
But the couple have been at constant war with Fraithur, 44, and his wife Ilona since 2019 when they bought the first tax unit at 44 King Street and the basement.
Dodd claims the musician, whose band won a Grammy in 2021, is “fixated” on the green space and is determined to make it his own.
A real estate executive is embroiled in a legal battle with Strokes bassist Nicolai Freitur over who owns their backyard.
The garden is owned by the Dodds, who live at 42 King Street, and the garden extends to 44 King Street.
Fraiture sued the Dodds in 2021, alleging that their two units were illegally joined, preventing them from completing their desired renovations between the first floor and basement.
The former owner of 42 King Street and the garden combined the property and created a terrace that connects to the parlor room across the property boundary.
Cashfield & Wakeman Chairman Toby Dodd and his wife moved into a $3.3 million 42 King Street, Soho, New York in 2017.
Legal filings show the Dodds bought both properties in that state, with the Fraitures claiming they were structurally unable to secure it and saying it could be at risk of collapse.
Dodd and his wife say the 45-by-40-foot green space is the property’s “real value” because it’s so unusual in Manhattan.
It was hailed by the New York Times for its “treasure-like quality,” according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com.
The Dodds have now countersued the Fraitures, claiming their motivation was “clear”, adding: “The Dodds have exclusive rights to the building’s garden and the Fraitures want it themselves.”
Lawyers for Fraitures claim in their legal application that the entire premises is illegal and that the Council is “putting the interests of Dodds ahead of the Co-op as a whole”.
It added that they could not be moved due to “dangerous conditions”, stating: “Plaintiffs have been unable to proceed with their intended construction and continue to incur significant transportation costs despite being unable to use and enjoy their home.”
The previous owner of 42 King Street and the garden combined the property and created a terrace that connects to the hall on the property boundary.
Legal documents show Dodds bought both properties in the state, with Fraitures claiming they failed to ensure it was structurally sound and saying it could be at risk of collapse. to be
Lawyers for Fraitures claim in their legal application that the entire premises is illegal and that the Council is “putting the interests of Dodds ahead of the Co-op as a whole”. Pictured: Plans for 44 King Street (left) and 42 (right).
The documents also claim that the room, which was bought by the Dodds, probably received electricity from the property bought by the Fraitures, adding that it was “separated without input from any public body”.
In a statement to the New York Post, Fraitures’ lawyer Bradley Silverbush said Dodds’ ownership of the park is “a false assumption.”
Silverbush said: “Think like this. If I told you I had a bridge to sell and you bought it from me, would that make you the owner of the bridge?
‘No, it wouldn’t be like that. Based on what I’ve seen to date, I think Dodds’ ownership is questionable at best.”
The Dodds’ countersuit alleges Fraitures tried to unfairly evict the couple from the property.
It says: The Dodds never wavered in their desire to part with the Garden. … Rather than accept that reality, Freitours launched a still ongoing scheme to drive the Dodds out of 44 King and take over the park for themselves.
“Other residents have commented that before the Freitours arrived, 44 King was a very pleasant community to live in, but the Freitours have created an unsettling, tension-filled environment for everyone.”
A Manhattan judge granted Dodds’ request to prevent the Fraitures from vacating their 44 King until June.
Source: |: This article originally belonged to Dailymail.co.uk