Landlord Sues Snap For Vacating Business That Burned On Boardwalk

VENICE, CA — A Venice property owner has filed a lawsuit against Snap, alleging that the company abandoned and stopped maintaining the building that was destroyed in a fire on Jan. 13, Yo!Venice reports.

Benjamin Schonbrun, who owns the building at 723 Ocean Front Walk, filed a lawsuit on Sept. 8 in U.S. District Court against Snap. Snap is the parent company of Snapchat.

Schonbrun is seeking $8 million in damages from an estimate of $2.5 million to rebuild the building.

“In September 2018, Snap vacated the premises and ceased maintaining the premises, as it was obligated to do under the lease agreement, thus abandoning both the premises and their legal duties and responsibilities under the terms of the lease contract,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also names Snapchat, CNA Financial Corporation, Continental Casualty Company, Hanasab Insurance Services, Inc., City of Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council Member Michael Bonin.

The early morning fire in January spread from a homeless encampment to the building. It took firefighters about two hours and 17 minutes to knock down the fire, which destroyed the 68-year-old building.

Read the full report on Yo!Venice.

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