Building inspectors descended on the Chelsea Hotel after City Council Speaker Christine Quinn complained that heat and hot water had been turned off while the historic structure was undergoing renovations.
Quinn fired off an angry letter to developer Joseph Chetrit last week demanding he restore the services and stop the “blatant harassment” of his 100 or so remaining tenants. The hotel is in her council district.
“Throughout this process, you have demonstrated a total lack of regard for residents and engaged in actions that have been initiated to the detriment of the tenants,” Quinn wrote.
“This afternoon, it was brought to my attention and confirmed by Con Ed that your contractor locked the meter and shut down gas service to the entire building without their authorization.”
Quinn’s office said heat and hot water have since returned, but not gas for cooking.
Buildings Department spokesman Tony Sclafani said inspectors issued a stop-work order and issued several violations.
Chetrit bought the building in 2011 and has been renovating it for more than a year.