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Plath v. Manhattan Railway Co.

66 N.Y. St. Rep. 873 Court N.Y. Sup. Ct. Decision date 1895-04-11 English

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p. 873
Ernest Plath, Resp’t, v. Manhattan Ry. Co. et al., App’lts.
Sup. Ct., 1 D.,
April 11, 1895.
James G. Bushby, for app’lts; Edwin M. Felt, for resp’t.

This is the usual action in equity to enjoin the use by defendants of plaintiff’s easements of light, air, and access, and for the recovery of past damages caused thereby. The premises in suit are known as “No. 283; Bowery,” and are located on the eastern side of that street, twenty-three feet north of the corner of Houston street. The lot is twenty-six feet ten inches in width front and rear, and seventy-five feet in depth. Upon it is a brick building sixty feet deep, with five stories and basement, having a store on the first floor, and four floors over the store. The basement is used as a barber shop, the store as a wholesale and retail cigar store, and the four upper floors as a lodging house. This building was placed there by the plaintiff and his brother in 1883, at a cost of $25,000, which, together with the sum of $34,000 paid for the lot, would make the cost of the premises in 1883. $59,000. There was testimony given showing the rental history of the building and the fee values of the property, and, after weighing all the considerations in favor of and against an award, the judge at special term fixed the rental damage at the rate of $200' per year for a little over four years, and the lessened value of the premises at $3,500. We think that there was testimony to support the awards thus made,.

p. 874
and, there being no other questions than such as have been frequently disposed of, it remains but to affirm the judgment, with costs.