The CEO of Sotheby’s, Charles Stewart, and his wife Caterina are facing a lawsuit from their neighbors over ongoing renovations at their Upper East Side townhouse located at 7 East 81st Street. The legal complaint was filed by a trust representing Jill Davis, a comedy writer and author, and Edward Conrad, a former managing partner at Bain Capital. Davis and Conrad reside next door at 5 East 81st Street.
According to the lawsuit submitted on Wednesday, the Stewarts have been conducting renovation work for more than four years. The complaint alleges that this construction has caused damage to the neighboring property and disregarded safety standards. It states: “with an utter disregard for the safety of [Davis and Conrad’s] home, and in a manner repugnant to all reasonable standards of professional conduct and communal civility.”
A spokesperson for Sotheby’s said Charles Stewart declined to comment on the matter.
The complaint details incidents such as the removal of the rear facade of the Stewarts’ townhouse and excavation work that allegedly led to a construction beam breaking through Davis and Conrad’s glass atrium roof. The neighbors also claim their home suffered water damage due to changes made to the shared wall between both townhouses as well as issues related to an improperly installed sidewalk shed in front of both properties.
Davis and Conrad assert they have attempted for years to reach an access agreement—typically necessary when construction may affect adjacent properties—but only entered into what they describe as a limited agreement with CAHS Construction. According to their complaint, this entity was created by the Stewarts “to protect themselves legally.” They further allege that terms of this agreement were not upheld, with further negotiations used “as a front to buy them time” without paying required license or professional fees.
Public records show that there is currently a partial stop-work order from the Department of Buildings on the Stewarts’ property along with ten open violations. The order notes that pipe scaffolding was installed “contrary to approved plans” using “multiple make-shift components,” which has resulted in “hazardous and unsafe” conditions affecting 5 East 81st Street.
Davis and Conrad are seeking monetary damages as well as an injunction halting further work on the property.
Stewart purchased his townhouse in November 2019 for $9.9 million shortly after becoming CEO of Sotheby’s.
