Strip-club honcho Robert Gans is being sued by the Midtown condo board of the city’s “sexiest building” for allegedly allowing an escort service to be run by one of his employees out of an apartment there.
Gans — the owner of Penthouse Executive Club, a massive strip club in Hell’s Kitchen that features what its Web site says are “sultry Swedish blondes” and Brazilians with “pulsating bottoms” — allegedly placed “girlfriend” Paula Echevri in a 41st-floor spread at the Atelier Condo at 635 W. 42nd St. without the permission of the board, the Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit claims.
“Echevri is operating an illegal escort service using her unit as her place of business,” the suits alleges.
“Echevri invites male guests to the unit at all hours of the night during the week and weekend,” according to tenants and other condo owners cited in the suit.
The posh high-rise boasts a dizzying array of amenities, including a sky-lit indoor pool, tennis courts and a rotating contemporary art gallery, according to marketing materials.
Gans’ attorney, Neal Greenfield, said he was unaware of the suit and dismissed the escort-service allegations. “That’s ridiculous. I can’t imagine anyone would say such a thing,” he said.The building has been dubbed “NYC’s sexiest building” by the real-estate firm Prudential Douglas Elliman.
“Echevri has claimed to be Gans’ girlfriend, but Gans is married,” according to the lawsuit filed by the condo managers yesterday.
Greenfield refused to say whether Gans owned the condo unit.
The suit said Gans bought it in 2006 through a company he owns, Swingtime LLC.
It said Swingtime’s ownership came to light in a letter Greenfield wrote to the condo-board managers in September, when he complained that upstairs neighbors at the condo were illegally converting three floors into a triplex.
The suit seeks to oust Echevri from the condo and to fine Swingtime $5,000.