Notable names who are linked to NYC residential transactions in October 2024
In late October 2024, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was ordered to turn over his valuables to two Georgia election workers he defamed in the wake of the 2020 presidential election as part of a massive lawsuit. These included a penthouse apartment at 45 East 66th Street, a prestigious Upper East Side cooperative.
Mr. Giuliani first tried to offload the apartment starting in summer 2023, when he listed it for $6.5 million, and it was on and off the market at gradually lower prices ever since. He filed for bankruptcy during this time, but a judge threw out the case in July 2024, clearing the way for assets like the penthouse to be seized. Before the judge ruled that he must surrender his assets, the penthouse hit a new low price of $5,175,000.
Mr. Giuliani first tried to offload the apartment starting in summer 2023, when he listed it for $6.5 million, and it was on and off the market at gradually lower prices ever since. He filed for bankruptcy during this time, but a judge threw out the case in July 2024, clearing the way for assets like the penthouse to be seized. Before the judge ruled that he must surrender his assets, the penthouse hit a new low price of $5,175,000.
Most recently, when the election workers visited the penthouse to assess transportation and storage needs for the property, they found it emptied of almost all its contents, including some art, sports memorabilia, and furniture that were part of the settlement (h/t NBC New York). Mr. Giuliani and his lawyers are not answering questions about the location of the valuables, and a hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday, November 7.
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In general, it is not nearly this complicated to buy an apartment or townhouse from a public figure — which is fortunate, because many have chosen to make New York their home at one point or another. The transaction is treated like any other real estate deal, though sometimes with LLCs or trusts to protect the identities of one or both parties. If any furniture or memorabilia is to be included in the sale of a famous property, it is always advised to negotiate this ahead of time as would be the case with any furnished apartment. Below, we look at a selection of homes that were listed or sold by acclaimed actors, visual artists, musicians, and business executives in October 2024.
Frank Sinatra - Entered contract
249 East 61st Street, #TH
$3,700,000 (-16.9%)
Lenox Hill | Townhouse | 4 Bedrooms, 5 Baths | 3,730 ft2
249 East 61st Street, #TH (Leslie J Garfield & Co Inc)
“Start spreading the news”: A Lenox Hill townhouse once owned by crooner Frank Sinatra has found a buyer. Mr. Sinatra bought the house in 1963, lived there with actress Mia Farrow during their brief marriage, and sold it in 1969 after his wish to build a garage was denied. It is not known how much the sellers paid for it, but the New York Post reports that they lived there for more than 50 years.
Vincent and Eugenia Sardi - Listed
133 East 95th Street, #TH
$5,250,000
Carnegie Hill | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 4,400 ft2
133 East 95th Street, #TH (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
495 West Street, #5 (Corcoran Group)
About eight months after offloading her Central Park West home, celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz has sold the West Village unit she used as a live/work apartment. Unlike the Central Park West co-op, where she still took a loss despite a higher than expected sale, Ms. Leibovitz makes a profit on the Downtown apartment, having paid $6.5 million for it in 2022.
From the Listing: Overlooking the Hudson River Park and beyond, enjoy over 60 feet of steel ribbon windows. A rare find this full floor loft space with an open flexible layout is currently set up as an artist’s photography studio. Entering through a keyed elevator and into the main living space with expansive river and downtown corner views offering wood burning fireplace, heated bluestone floors, wet bar and open eat in kitchen. Discover the library nook with custom bookshelves that can be redesigned into a third bedroom. See floor plan and full details here.
From the Listing: Overlooking the Hudson River Park and beyond, enjoy over 60 feet of steel ribbon windows. A rare find this full floor loft space with an open flexible layout is currently set up as an artist’s photography studio. Entering through a keyed elevator and into the main living space with expansive river and downtown corner views offering wood burning fireplace, heated bluestone floors, wet bar and open eat in kitchen. Discover the library nook with custom bookshelves that can be redesigned into a third bedroom. See floor plan and full details here.
Mica and Ahmet Ertegun - Sold
121-125 East 81st Street, #TH
$9,300,000
$9,300,000
121-125 East 81st Street (Leslie J. Garfield)
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A few weeks before a Christie’s auction of acclaimed designer Mica Ertegun’s art, furniture, and jewelry, the New York Post announced that the combined Upper East Side townhouse she shared with her husband, Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, had sold. The power couple regularly entertained in their beautifully appointed house, and proceeds from the sale are set to go to their charity.
From the Listing: Situated in the heart of the Upper East Side on a lovely townhouse block just off Park Avenue sit two contiguous townhouses located at 121-125 East 81st Street. This very unique and seldom found 37' x 102’ lot that spans both townhouses and encompasses roughly 9,400 square feet above grade is and for sale for the first time in many decades. Originally constructed in 1899, this remarkable five-story property was the private residence and office of a very famous designer and music entrepreneur who lived in both as a primary residence and personal office. Whether as a private residence, a live/work space, or a new construction project, the possibilities are as vast as the property’s potential especially in light of the fact that the properties are not landmarked or in a historic district. See floor plan and full details here.
From the Listing: Situated in the heart of the Upper East Side on a lovely townhouse block just off Park Avenue sit two contiguous townhouses located at 121-125 East 81st Street. This very unique and seldom found 37' x 102’ lot that spans both townhouses and encompasses roughly 9,400 square feet above grade is and for sale for the first time in many decades. Originally constructed in 1899, this remarkable five-story property was the private residence and office of a very famous designer and music entrepreneur who lived in both as a primary residence and personal office. Whether as a private residence, a live/work space, or a new construction project, the possibilities are as vast as the property’s potential especially in light of the fact that the properties are not landmarked or in a historic district. See floor plan and full details here.
Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy - Entered contract
19 Downing Street, #TH
$9,750,000
Greenwich Village | Townhouse | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,890 ft2
19 Downing Street, #TH (Corcoran Group)
Gloria Vanderbilt - Listed
67 East 91st Street, #TH
$10,295,000
Carnegie Hill | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 6,400 ft2
67 East 91st Street, #TH (Compass)
Madam Secretary - Listed
18 Commerce Street, #TH
$10,995,000
West Village | Townhouse | 5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths
18 Commerce Street, #TH (Corcoran Group)
William Wegman - Entered contract
245 West 18th Street, #TH
$12,495,000 (-7.4%)
Chelsea | Townhouse | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 5,834 ft2
245 West 18th Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Mike Myers - Sold
505 West 19th Street, #PH1 (Compass)
Throughout 2024, actor Mike Myers appears to have garnered more attention for his Downtown real estate portfolio than his film roles: Less than five months after his former penthouse at celebrity favorite 443 Greenwich Street changed hands again in spring 2024, he sold his penthouse overlooking the High Line. While it sold for less than the $20 million he initially sought for it in May 2023, Mr. Myers still makes a profit, having bought it from the developer for $15.35 million in 2017.
Rupert Murdoch - Entered contract
One Madison, #PH
$28,500,000 (-26%)
Flatiron/Union Square | Condominium | 5 Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 7,143 ft2
One Madison, #PH (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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