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Stratospheric Sales

By Matt Chaban 3/07/12 8:00pm

Stratospheric Sales

25 Photos

Partying at Aby's Abode, Still for Sale

Who Doesn’t Want to Buy Aby Rosen’s East 71st Street Mansion?

Last night, Aby Rosen threw another one of his fancy fetes at the mansion he owns, but does not occupy, at 22 East 71st Street. Mr. Rosen bought the former Salander O’Reilly gallery in 2004 for $15.65 million. He spent a not inconsiderable amount of money on renovating it back into a home, though there is still much work to be done, particularly on the upper floors, for the place to feel truly homey.

Still, the central staircase, faced in warm marble, has to be one of the finest in the city, reason enough to put the place back on the market, as Mr. Rosen did in 2008. The blushing price was $75 million, the most anyone dared to ask for a home at the time. And there it has sat ever since. Though the place, now asking a mere $50 million, has been far from quiet. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 2/13/12 10:40am

Stratospheric Sales

Rarefied air. (NY City Lights

#RichPeopleProblems: Will My Home Value Double or Triple?

As the city collectively recovers from the recession, greenbacks are once more flowing freely for the uber rich, particularly in the real estate market. While apartment prices have stabilized since 2008, “ultraluxury” pads, those costing northwards of $7 million, are selling for record prices.

While moderately priced homes are still working to recover pre-Lehman property values, those lucky few sitting on luxurious, or rather ultraluxurious properties, have found their nest egg suddenly re-secured as the demand for high-end hearths has skyrocketed, according to The Times. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 1/27/12 5:38pm

Stratospheric Sales

9 Photos

Good news: when you spend $65 million, you get free gym membership. Hey- David Barton adds up!

Holy Park! Denise Rich’s 20-Room Penthouse Asking Record $65 M.

While some say co-ops have seen their day and are now fading from the forefront of the luxury market, don’t count the standard blue-blood abodes out yet! Songwriter Denise Rich has put her co-op on the market for the staggering price of $65 million, The Post reports, making it the most expensive co-op on the market.

Evidently, the 20-room spread at 785 Fifth Avenue is too big for Ms. Rich, who lives in the apartment alone. With seven full bedrooms and 11 baths, we’re inclined to believe her. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 11/30/11 5:52pm

Stratospheric Sales

9 Photos

An entire press box could fit in that master bath.

That’s a Lot of Lutefisk! Inside Zygi Wilf’s $19 M. Valhalla

From the wood-paneled library to the carefully trimmed trees on the terraces—that’s six whole terraces!—Mr. Wilf has got it all at 778 Park. The Mustachioed Mock Minnesotan’s new place is certainly nicer than any skybox at the new stadium he is trying to build. Apparently averse to the backwoods of the Midwest, Mr. Wilf will instead spend his time lounging around this Candela masterpiece. The good news? It’s the perfect place to host the Viking’s Christmas party! Read More

By Elise Knutsen 11/30/11 3:49pm

Stratospheric Sales

zygistardust

Zygi Wilf Becomes Most Hated Man in Minnesota After Buying Park Avenue Penthouse

Just as The Observer was writing up the news of Zygi Wilf’s brand spanking new $19 million condo, the Minnesota Vikings owner was sending emissaries down to the capitol in St. Paul to request millions in taxpayer dollars to help fund a new stadium for the abominable team. His timing was as bad as late-career Brett Favre.

Mr. Wilf has become quite possibly one of the most hated men in the land of 10,000 lakes, an impressive feat in a place where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average. From ice-fishing outposts on Lake Minnetonka to the holiday crowds at the Mall of America, fingers are wagging in Mr. Wilf’s direction. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 11/08/11 11:38am

Stratospheric Sales

8 Photos

The only place to live.

Glory, Glory 740 Park! Courtney Sale Ross Finally Lists Her $60 Million Behemoth

For those in the know—and with Scrooge McDuck quantities of money piled high in their private vaults—Courtney Sale Ross’ apartment at 740 Park has been sitting quietly on the market for the past several years. Abandoning the whispering tactic, the listing for Ms. Sale Ross’ home has hit the open with a resounding boom. It is still seeking the same $60 million it has been since 2008, changing times be damned.

The listing went public yesterday, and the thirty room duplex has our mouths watering. Kathy Sloane of Brown Harris Stevens, the broker representing Ms. Sale Ross, takes full advantage of the building’s pedigree in her listing. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 9/23/11 10:43am

Stratospheric Sales

Scott and Donya Bommer (Photo from Patrick McMullan)

Zeckendorf Sells to Hedgie Scott Bommer, Makes Even More than We Thought

Back in July, The Observer learned that William Lie Zeckendorf had found a buyer for his half of the old Wasserstein pad at 927 Fifth Avenue, which he had purchased for $29.1 million only seven months earlier. The purchase price was rumored to be as high as $34 million, well above the $31.5 million ask and a good explanation for why Mr. Zecekendorf might ever think of selling, given the quick turnaround. It turns out, the sale was even higher than that. Read More