By Kim Velsey 10/12/12 1:11pm

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

The Park Avenue in the South Bronx.

The Two Park Avenues: Promotion of Documentary About Income Inequality Perpetuates Inequality

We received a press release yesterday heralding the release of a new film. It read: “740 Park, the bestseller by Michael Gross, becomes Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream.”

This struck us as odd because we had, in fact, heard about this documentary before, but described in a very different way: the famed building would be used as a foil for Park Avenue in the South Bronx, as a means of discussing income inequality in America. This had seemed to us like a very good idea. Not that we wouldn’t also like to see Michael Gross’s engaging social history become a movie (or an inspired-by Dallas-style TV show that would blow 666 Park and its many real estate inaccuracies out of the water), but that would be a very different movie indeed.

This was, of course, the same movie we had heard about, a movie that is described more accurately and evenhandedly, we discovered through some extensive googling, on the Independent Television Service website. But back to that first release and how its spin got under our skin. Read More

By Kim Velsey 7/10/12 7:20pm

Stratospheric Sales

Howard Marks $50 M. apartment and the Ritz's big hope.

Putting On the Ritz-Carlton: Has Its Moment In the Sun Finally Come?

Let’s face it: prices at the Ritz-Carlton, while resplendent, pale in comparison to the blindingly spectacular sales at buildings like 15 Central Park West and the Plaza. But with the $70 million Steve Wynn buy behind it and a new $50 million listing, The Wall Street Journal asks: is the Ritz ready to rise again?

It’s not as if the building has been doing shabbily or anything, but it hasn’t been the brightest star in the sky, The Journal notes. Built in 1930 as the Hotel St. Moritz, it’s lost some of the luster it once had and its debut on the luxury market was less than stellar. The condo conversion finished shortly after Sept. 11, and then the building got kind of eclipsed by the Time Warner Center and 15 Central Park West. Read More

By Kim Velsey 6/25/12 3:39pm

Of Doormen and Drama

The defaulting couple (Patrick McMullen)

A Foreclosure at New York’s Fanciest Co-op? Seizure of Swig’s 740 Park Spread Moves Ahead

Not even the most coveted address or the most celebrated building is immune from the occasional financial contretemps, it would seem, regardless of the building’s all cash financing requirements.

Foreclosure proceedings are moving full-force ahead on the 740 Park Avenue apartment of Kent Swig and estranged wife Elizabeth Macklowe Swig, reports Michael Gross, the author of the consummate book on the consummate building. Read More

By Kim Velsey 6/11/12 1:50pm

Manhattan Transfers

6 Photos

Unwanted 740 Park Apartment Finally Sells

At Last! Lonely Duplex At 740 Park Avenue Finds Love

After nearly four years on the market and a $12 million price reduction, co-op 4/5 C at 740 Park Avenue has finally found a buyer. And just when it had been empty long enough to attain spooky apartment status among the building’s exceedingly well-heeled children! What door will they dare each other to run past now? Perhaps Madoff crony Ezra Merkin’s will do?

The 15-room duplex, listed with Sotheby’s brokers Serena Boardman and Meredyth Smith for $23 million, is now in contract, according to the Olshan Luxury Market report (it was also last week’s biggest residential contract, broker Donna Olshan reveals).

The deal, coming close on the heels of the record-for-a-co-op sale of Courtney Sale Ross’ apartment to Oaktree Capital Chief Howard Marks, means the end of available units at the most venerated of all New York addresses. Read More

By Kim Velsey 5/14/12 6:00am

Manhattan Transfers

12 Photos

AMarksNMarksHMarks_091510

Lordy, Lordy, 740: Oaktree Capital Chief Howard Marks Buys Ross’ 740 Park Co-op for $52.5 M., Setting Record

We bet Howard and Nancy Marks didn’t bat an eye when they forked over $52.5 million for the Courtney Sale Ross duplex at 740 Park Avenue, setting a record for the most expensive co-op ever. After all, $52.5 million is pocket change when you manage a $75 billion investment group.

Unlike those who watched their fortunes deplete or disappear during the recession, Mr. Marks, the co-founder, principal and chairman of Oaktree Capital, managed to enhance his by investing billions in distressed debt. With so much cash burning a hole in their pockets, it looks like the couple was just waiting for the chance to pick up a phenomenally expensive apartment (albeit at something under the $60 million ask). Read More

By Kim Velsey 4/18/12 1:34pm

Stratospheric Sales

How will the buyer grapple with the challenges of arranging furniture in this massive living room?

Sale of 740 Park Avenue Apartment Poised To Break Co-op Record?

Courtney Sale Ross may not be getting the full $60 million ask for her deluxe duplex apartment at 740 Park Avenue, but the sale will still set a record at $52 million, the highest price ever paid for a co-op.

While last week brought rumors that a buyer with deep-pockets had fallen in love with the sprawling apartment, The Journal reports that the feeling is mutual, and the famously picky co-op board has given the nod of approval, culminating in the signing of a $52 million contract. Read More

By Kim Velsey 4/13/12 10:51am

Stratospheric Sales

Not your typical New York apartment

Whispers of a Buyer for Courtney Sale Ross’ ‘Quiet’ $60 M. Duplex at 740 Park

It’s not only the bright, shiny and new buildings like 15 Central Park West and One57 that are topping the $50 million mark these days. Rumor has it that the massive 740 Park Avenue home of Courtney Sale Ross has found a buyer willing to pay the $60 million asking price

Gadabout Michael Gross, the author of the consummate book on the consummate building, reports that he’s heard from a reliable source that the unit, a deluxe duplex, has gone into contract for the full asking price. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 1/10/12 6:17pm

Machers

Michael Gross

Michael Gross Is Not Writing The Same Book Twice

When we heard Michael Gross was working on yet another book about an uber-rich New York residential building, our eyes rolled ever so slightly. The Observer had read and loved his opus on 740 Park (“The World’s Richest Apartment Building”), but with one in the works about 15CPW, titled The House of Outrageous Fortune,  what more could he possibly have to say about the nesting habits of the extraordinarily wealthy? Beyond what he had already written on the subject for us, of course.

A lot, it turns out. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 10/07/11 2:43pm

Manhattan Transfers

740 Park

Gamers Greg and Linda Fischbach Score Buyer at 740 Park

By now, word has traveled around New York’s society circles that video game magnate Gregory Fischbach and his wife Linda have put their home at 740 Park Avenue on the market.

In this market, however, it can take a while for these palatial grandaddy apartments to sell. Neighboring unit 4/5C, for example, has been on the market since August 2008. Initially priced at $35 million that unit has embarrassingly been chopped a full twelve million, remaining unsold at $23 million.

Apparently the Fischbach’s residence, on the 17th floor, will not suffer the same fate. It quietly came on the market earlier this year, and a source with close ties to the godly building has told The Observer that a prospective buyer has just passed the notoriously severe co-op board. A sale at 740, it would seem, is on the horizon. Read More