Previous student complaints indicate that recent construction at Loeb Hall took place outside of designated hours, in defiance of the building’s Tenant Protection Plan (TPP).

Loeb is currently one of three residence halls at the university dedicated primarily to first-year students. The New School Free Press initially spoke to residents of the hall during the fall 2025 semester. In a story published by NSFP on Nov. 17, 2025, Loeb resident and first-year student Alice Hanson described waking up to loud work. Construction began as early as 7 a.m. on weekdays. 

Loeb’s city-approved TPP (filed under request number TPP-M01208921-I1-02) promised to limit construction operations and “noisy work” to between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The early-morning construction was contrary to the plan as-filed. 

A TPP is required by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) in order to ensure the comfort and safety of residents whenever a Plan/Work Application (PW1) is submitted for construction in buildings with occupied dwellings. 

TPPs vary depending on the specific work being done but must always involve specific provisions for egress, fire safety, health requirements, compliance with housing standards, structural safety, noise restrictions, and maintaining essential services, according to the DOB.

Merrie Snead, associate director of communications at TNS confirmed that inspections were taking place at the residence hall as mandated by the DOB’s Façade Inspection & Safety Program. According to Snead, this work involves the repair of the building’s “exterior walls, balconies, and appurtenances where necessary.”

“Standard construction hours in NYC are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,” said Snead. “This filing restricts ‘noisy work’ to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The New School adheres to both of these guidelines.” 

Though the DOB has yet to issue a violation to the university, failure to maintain TPP compliance can result in disciplinary action from the DOB, including civil penalty fines.

If issued, the violation would not be the first at Loeb. According to DOB records, a sidewalk shed was “built contrary to plans as per DOB records,” which resulted in the issuance of a now-lifted Stop Work Order on Jan. 21 of this year.