Tall steel fencing, cameras and other devices are also available.
This white 20-story building is a must-see. It rises above the tree-lined Henry Hudson Parkway, and is taller than any other structure in Bronx’s Riverdale area. It houses diplomat families serving in the Russian Mission at the United Nations, as well as a few spies.
Vassily Nebenzia (Russia’s U.N. Ambassador) interrupted a press conference Monday to make a call. The U.S. Mission will be exiling 12 diplomats from Russia’s Mission to U.N.
Olivia Dalton, a spokesperson of the U.S. Mission confirmed that the U.S. began “the process to expelling 12 intelligence operatives (Russian Mission) who have abused the privileges of residence in the U.S. by engaging espionage activities which are detrimental to our national security.”
She stated that the action was in the planning stages for “many months.”
CBS News was informed by the Russian Mission that the majority of its New York-based diplomats, as well as their families, live in the Bronx Building. However, the Russian Mission did not specify if this includes the 12 people expelled.
It has been a mystery for many years. The unique top-down construction method used to build the building was unique. It involved lifting prefabricated floors onto a frame. Before the first floor was put in place, Floor 20 hovered above the ground. This was believed to be a way to stop American intelligence agencies getting inside.
Jeffrey Dinowitz (New York State Assembly Member) said that other theories have been floated.
Dinowitz stated that he doesn’t know whether it’s true or urban legend. However, the story goes that the building was constructed there because it is the Bronx’s highest point in terms elevation. Also, it was to spy from electronic monitoring and such like. I don’t know the truth, but I believe that a lot people believe it to be true.
Even firefighters and police can be prevented from entering the building during tensions between the U.S.A and Russia. In 2011, a small fire broke out in the building . The New York City fire department was outside.
Local concerns about espionage were confirmed in 2014 when Evgeny Biryakov, a Russian banker, was arrested. He was charged with one count, conspiring to act as an agent for the Russian Federation in the United States. Later, he entered a guilty plea and was expelled.
According to The Riverdale Press , there were dozens of protesters outside the building on Sunday. They honked their car horns and sang Ukraine’s national anthem. They chose this spot to protest against Russia’s violent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. This unprovoked attack by Russian President Vladimir Putin has already claimed many lives and forced hundreds upon thousands of people to flee their homes.
Dinowitz called the building “eyesore” and said that it was “sort of an island apart from the rest.”
It wasn’t always that simple. Dinowitz recalls only once going in the building. It was in the 1980s, during the era known as glasnost. The Soviet Union was trying to improve transparency and openness within its government. There was also a concert in an auditorium.
“I don’t recall it being a particularly lovely place, I’ll tell you that. It isn’t very beautiful from the outside. That’s what Dinowitz stated about the building which also has its own kindergarten and playground. It’s a residence. It may be a residence for a lot Russian diplomats and their families.”
When asked Tuesday if residents had been expelled, the spokesperson for Russia’s Embassy said that they did not know. And, why would they? It is just to be shared with you.”
