Caught Red-Handed: Behind Plywood Fence at 250 Smith Street, Work Not Conforming To Permit

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Once the home of the 'Rosemary Room': 250 Smith Street

Something did not seem quite right with the construction at 250 Smith Street from the start.
For one thing, it has been going on forever. Second, the permit issued for a renovation of existing commercial space to a restaurant and bakery on the first floor and an eating and drinking establishment in the basement did not match the scope of work going on behind the plywood fence
Occasionally, when the door was open, one could see that there was a lot of digging going on and a lot of dirt being removed. It also looked as though part of the building's back wall had been removed.
Obviously, others had noticed too, including the Buildings Department.
On January 14, 2009, a D.O.B. inspector responded to a complaint that the work at the site was done without displayed permits.
A violation and stop-work order were issued. The inspector noted:
WORK DOES NOT CONFORM TO APPROVED PLAN. REAR CELLAR EXTENDED. POSSIBLE SECOND STORY TO BE ADDED.
I guess there are still owners and builders out there who think they can add a story to a building without anyone noticing...