Elevator Malfunctions Plague Queens High-Rise, Angering Tenants

Recurring issues at Hunter's Point South Commons spark accessibility concerns and fears of a "ticking time bomb"

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:28pm

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An abstract, impressionistic image of an elevator door opening and closing, with soft, blurred pools of warm light and color reflecting off the metal surface, conveying a sense of uncertainty and disruption.Recurring elevator malfunctions at a Queens high-rise have left tenants frustrated and concerned for their safety.NYC Today

Tenants at the 38-story Hunter's Point South Commons apartment tower in Long Island City, Queens are facing ongoing elevator malfunctions, including skipped floors, faulty doors, and disabled call buttons. Residents have reported being trapped in elevators for over an hour and experiencing lurching movements that "felt like a bungee cord." The building's owner, Related Companies, says a multi-million dollar modernization project is underway, but tenants remain skeptical that the problems will be resolved.

Why it matters

Reliable elevator service is a critical issue for high-rise residents, especially those with disabilities or mobility challenges. The persistent malfunctions at Hunter's Point South Commons have disrupted daily life for over 1,000 people, raising accessibility concerns and sparking fears of a potential disaster. The building's owner, a major real estate firm, is facing scrutiny over its responsiveness to tenant complaints.

The details

Tenants at the 38-story Hunter's Point South Commons apartment tower in Long Island City, Queens have been dealing with recurring elevator issues, including skipped floors, faulty doors, and disabled call buttons. Residents have reported being trapped in elevators for over an hour and experiencing lurching movements that "felt like a bungee cord." The building's owner, Related Companies, says a multi-million dollar modernization project is underway, but tenants remain skeptical that the problems will be resolved.

  • In summer 2024, CBS News New York first reported on elevator issues at Hunter's Point South Commons, when residents were forced to wait in long lines just to reach their apartments.
  • The elevator problems have returned in recent weeks, with tenants on upper floors saying they've been depending on a single operable elevator for over a week.

The players

Hunter's Point South Commons

A 38-story apartment tower near the waterfront in Long Island City, Queens.

Related Companies

The global real estate firm that owns Hunter's Point South Commons and is behind major projects like Hudson Yards.

Julie Won

New York City Council Member who says the elevator issues at Hunter's Point South Commons are an equity concern in a building of rent-stabilized apartments.

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What they’re saying

“My husband and I were caught on the elevator for over an hour.”

— Cris Szeles, Tenant

“Your life, like, flashed before your eyes.”

— Nancy Bruce, Tenant

“It felt like a bungee cord. The door would open and, boom, boom, boom. I reported it. I cried!”

— Cris Szeles, Tenant

“This is affecting the lives of over 1,000 people in this building.”

— Nancy Bruce, Tenant

“Human beings shouldn't have to do this. They shouldn't have to go up and down steps, whether it be somebody in a wheelchair, somebody with a cane, a stroller.”

— Matt Aaron, Tenant

What’s next

After being contacted by CBS News New York, the City Department of Buildings dispatched an inspector to the building, who issued a violation and ordered the owner to make repairs.

The takeaway

The persistent elevator issues at Hunter's Point South Commons highlight the critical importance of reliable vertical transportation in high-rise buildings, especially for residents with accessibility needs. The building's owner, a major real estate firm, faces growing pressure to resolve the problems and restore faith in the property's infrastructure.