We’re not being ‘investigated,’ says co-living space Common

A report in Crain’s this morning says the city will be investigating the legality of Crown Heights co-living space Common:

The Department of Buildings said it will pay a visit to the townhouse, located at 1162 Pacific St. near Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights, in response to an Oct. 29 complaint that Common had illegally converted the four-story home into a single-room occupancy residence where rooms rent for $1,800 to $1,950 per month.

In emails with Technical.ly Brooklyn this morning, Common founder Brad Hargreaves disputed the assertion that the city is “investigating” the co-living space.

Is this Crown Heights rental building featuring co-living space illegal? City will investigate https://t.co/IaHdAYZpDD via @JoeAnuta

— Crain's New York (@CrainsNewYork) November 20, 2015

“It’s not an investigation; it’s an inspection in response to a complaint that was filed,” Hargreaves wrote. “We’re looking forward to working with the Department of Buildings to resolve the issue.”
A complaint was filed with the city shortly after Common’s opening. Any citizen can file a complaint with 311 and it will trigger an automatic inspection from the city.
Common has been one of the most interesting additions to the Brooklyn innovation scene this year. Its 19 bedrooms in a four-story Crown Heights walkup could represent a new frontier in how people view housing. But with rents at $1,800 for month-to-month rooms, it has raised some eyebrows in Crown Heights, where rents are roughly half that per bedroom. Still, that didn’t stop Common from getting 150 applications in its first week.