K-HOUSE Karaoke Lounge & Suites announced in June that it was closing its operations “effective immediately” due to “unresolved building issues” that “compromised the health and safety” of the property.
K-HOUSE is a “premier karaoke destination" located on 15 Catherwood Rd., according to the business’s website.
The Sun found that K-HOUSE closed due to unresolved mold and structural issues, after reviewing obtained reports and emails.
In a Services Residential Report conducted by Kincaid Home Inspections on Dec. 31, 2024, an inspectors “uncovered numerous deficiencies,” including high levels of moisture that led to damage on the walls and staining across the building.
The report also lists "structural deficiencies,” including the floors sloping, with some areas displaying moisture readings at a reported “99%” — indicating that the material was extremely damp. The metal support columns in the basement of the K-HOUSE were found to be rusted, which indicated “long-term exposure to moisture” according to the report.
The report also states that the roof had serious structural issues, including “evidence of multiple leaks” due to temporary repairs and patches.
“These conditions suggest the roof has reached or exceeded its serviceable life and likely requires replacement,” the report states.
Notably, there were clear health risks throughout the property, including “a persistent septic odor” that led the inspector to believe that there was a plumbing or ventilation issue in the building, according to the report. The inspector also found “mold-like substances” in several areas.
“In addition to the visible growth, a strong mold-like odor permeates the basement, creating an unsafe environment for occupants and visitors,” the report reads.
The inspector ended the report by stating the “need for immediate intervention” to resolve the issues.
“Each of these concerns, if left unresolved, can lead to further deterioration, increased repair costs, and potentially serious liability risks,” the report reads.
A mold inspection completed by Precision Home Inspection of The Twin Tier, LLC also supported the finding of mold in the building, reporting “elevated meter readings” and “visible mold present.”
Two other reports further supported the findings of mild and structural issues at the building.
In an email statement to The Sun, Hendrik Drost, the landlord of the property, said that the property was sold to Alina Kim, the owner of K-HOUSE, with no prior knowledge of the mold.
“The presence of ‘a possible mold-like substance’ within the property was first identified in a 12/31/2024 report by an inspector contracted by the owner of K-HOUSE, with the recommendation to contact a qualified mold inspection professional,” Drost wrote in a statement sent to The Sun. “This substance was found in the vestibule area of K-HOUSE, under a tile popped off by the inspector.”
In obtained emails dating back to April between Cor Drost and Hendrik, Kim and a Village of Lansing code officer, a mold remediation plan was drawn up in two stages. The first stage of the plan was to install “floating floor panels” to be placed over the mold.
The second stage of the plan was to eliminate the “above-floor water infiltration” into the K-HOUSE, according to Drost, who later stated that the water infiltration was what caused the “flooring mold and … mold growth.”
Other emails obtained by The Sun revealed that an employee may have contracted an illness related to mold.
“One of my employees had been out sick since January 31 claiming she thinks she has mold poisoning,” Kim wrote in an email to the Drosts and the Village of Lansing fire inspector. “She is going to see a doctor soon and is suffering with dizziness/vertigo and vomiting/nausea. I'm worried it may be related.”
Hendrik told The Sun that he and Cor “were not made aware of any employee sickness tied directly to the K-HOUSE premises.
Hendrik also emphasized that the closure of the K-HOUSE was based on “a decision of Ms. Kim to close operations” and that the previously mentioned active mold remediation program was in effect.
“An active mold remediation program was in place at the time Ms. Kim decided to ‘close,’” Hendrik wrote in his email statement to The Sun. “Phase 1 of the program was completed and its effectiveness testing was underway, Phase 2 scheduled to start in July ’25, after her earlier-announced ‘temporary’ closure at the end of June.”
Kim told The Sun that she currently has two active investigations into the property, “one with the Department of State oversight division and one with the labor, mold and asbestos department.”
“Regardless of whether or not the building is occupied, these code violations need to be addressed,” Kim said.
Zeinab Faraj is a reporter from The Cornell Daily Sun working on The Sun's summer fellowship at The Ithaca Voice.
Zeinab Faraj is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
