Seinfeld Rule

The dubiously titled “Seinfeld Rule” initially came about as a result of renovations made by comedian Jerry Seinfeld to his condominium, located in the ultra-high-profile Beresford apartment building. The work, which went on for several years, was not well received by some in the building, where neighbors include John McEnroe, Calvin Klein, and Meryl Streep.

As a response to discourage such nuisances in the future, the Beresford established a rule, by which it would fine an owner between $500 and $2,000 a day for renovation work lasting longer than three months.

The San Remo, another illustrious Manhattan apartment building, has also experienced a pair of similar events. Past resident Steven Spielberg annoyed neighbors with renovations lasting one and a half years. And Steve Jobs, another past resident, was said to have conducted major renovations to his apartment that went on for over seven years.

As a result of these and other cases of elongated renovation jobs, many condominiums have now enacted similar rules, fining residents for renovation work that lasts longer that a specified time limit. In reference to the Beresford case, such rules are now generically dubbed “Seinfeld Rules.”