A historic building in Brooklyn Heights is at the center of a contentious battle between residents and a contractor.

Peter Bray, of the Brooklyn Heights Association, says the neighborhood is one of the city's first historic districts, receiving that designation in 1965. He says the building in question, located at 43 Columbia Place, is undergoing construction involving the renovation of certain parts of its original structure, violating landmark-preservation regulations.

Neighbors have complained to the city's Department of Buildings, Bray says, and a partial stop-work order was issued on Dec. 10. But Bray says work has continued despite that.

Contractor Jake Krause says the workers are now complying. However, the DOB confirms that representatives were at the site on Tuesday, and found one new violation for not having a no-smoking sign.

Krause says the violation is proof that people are trying to unfairly drive him out. He still has to submit new plans that comply with landmark-preservation regulations if he wants the stop order lifted.