By Kim Velsey 1/03 12:17pm

Manhattan Transfers

Prime views of the Met.

Mexican Media Mogul Alfonso de Angoitia Buys $16.5 M. Co-op

It was only a matter of time before Alfonso de Angoitia Noriega, the director and executive V.P. of Grupo Televisa, S.A. got word of the Manhattan trophy craze. Mr. Noriega is at the helm the largest media company in the Spanish speaking world, so we assume that he’s plugged in, turned on and otherwise well informed when it comes to global trends.

Besides, who with $16.5 million to spare could resist a grand 10-room corner apartment in the storied 1030 Fifth Avenue? City records show that Mr. Noriega and wife Maria de la Concepcion de Angoita Legorreta paid full ask for the co-op. The apartment has been listed with Sotheby’s broker Serena Boardman since August. Read More

By Kim Velsey 12/17/12 8:15pm

Manhattan Transfers

They love 730 Park.

That’s Capital: Hedge Funder Dan Benton Buys $39 M. Penthouse at 730 Park

Psst… do you want to hear a secret? The whisper listing at 730 Park Avenue, a 12-room duplex penthouse with Central Park views, has sold to hedge fund titan Daniel Benton for a whopping $39 million, according to city records.

Mr. Benton, who recently re-opened his technology-based hedge fund Andor Capital Management, is apparently feeling financially confident enough to move up in the world. Literally. Mr. Benton and wife Anna currently own another 12-room duplex on a lower floor of the same building that they paid $21 million for back in 2007. We guess they were a shoo-in with the board? Read More

By Kim Velsey 9/27/12 6:57pm

Manhattan Transfers

It's a duplex!

Did Ex-Goldman Partner Jonathan Sobel Just Join the Other Titans at Gilded 740 Park?

Earlier this year, former Goldman Sachs partner Jonathan Sobel reluctantly agreed to sell his stunning Charles Gwathmey penthouse at the Verona for $21 million. And no wonder! It appears that Mr. Sobel and his wife Marcia Dunn had their eye on a 15-room duplex at that most glorious of all the glorious Upper East Side buildings: 740 Park Avenue.

Mr.  Sobel and Ms. Dunn have filed documents with the city indicating that they are purchasing the shares for the sprawling four-bedroom C-line spread that spans the fourth and fifth floors. The apartment was most recently listed for $23 million with Sotheby’s brokers Meredyth Smith and Serena Boardman. Read More

By Kim Velsey 6/22/12 3:08pm

Manhattan Transfers

8 Photos

16 West 12th Street

Art Patron and Business Bigwig Moves From Greenwich to Greenwich Village, Into $18 M. Hovanian Townhouse

Well, Greenwich Village has finally finished its transition from the neighborhood of artists to a neighborhood for their patrons. Warren Kanders, Whitney board member and powerhouse behind private investment firm Kanders & Co. has snapped up a townhouse at 16 West 12th Street.

Mr. Kanders and wife Allison, who were represented by Sotheby’s broker Joshua Wesoky paid $17.8 million for the 5-bedroom townhouse, which was listed with Sotheby’s broker Serena Boardman and Brown Harris Stevens broker Jill Roosevelt for $21 million. The Kanders will be relocating from their manse in Greenwich, Conn. Read More

By Kim Velsey 6/18/12 4:20pm

Manhattan Transfers

Let the shopping spree continue!

UES Townhouse Offers Six Bedrooms, Refuge From Bad Art for $19 M.

We’re not sure what compelled Gianna Biondi, who just sold her 15-room Upper East Side townhouse at 7 East 80th Street, to move. Perhaps she wanted to avoid the next art spectacle in Central Park, given her thoughts on Christo’s The Gates?

After all, Ms. Biondo was so offended by the “art” project” that overtook her otherwise beautiful Central Park in 2005 that she felt compelled to write a letter to New York Magazine. 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 6/05/12 1:31pm

Manhattan Transfers

8 Photos

Millennium Tower

Millennium Tower Aerie Comes on the Market for $27 M.—Commanding Views for a Commanding Price

Yet another high, high-end listing has made its debut on the market in what appears to have become a mad scramble to satisfy demand for big-dollar domiciles.

Now, for $27 million, you can have a 53rd-floor condo at 101 West 67th Street that’s as high up as it is high end.

“Gorgeous, unobstructed panoramic views of Central park, the Hudson River, the East river and southern views,” the listing, held by Sotheby’s brokers Eva Mohr and Serena Boardman gushes. And there are large bay windows everywhere. The buyer will also have the pleasure of watching One57 rising ten blocks to the south. Read More

By Elise Knutsen 9/09/11 5:37pm

Super Brokers

John_Burger

What Recession! Brown Harris Steven's John Burger Sold $280 M. in Homes Last Year, Topping the U.S.

Who’s the best broker in the land? Brown Harris Stevens’ John Burger, according to the Wall Street Journal‘s annual list of the nation’s top real estate agents. The New York based broker is a heavy hitter in the industry, selling $279,841,487 in New York property last year. Figuring that 3% commission, Mr. Burger did well for himself last year, pocketing approximately $8,395,244 before Uncle Sam.

According to his personal website, Mr. Burger splits his time between his homes on the Upper East Side and in Watermill (naturally), and is fluent in Spanish and German. And English, we presume. Read More