Sometimes, the best things in life really are free.
Steve Ross, head of the Related Companies, is one of the city’s most influential developers–he is hard at work on Hudson Yards and Hunters Point South, among so much else–as well as one of its richest, worth $3.4 billion, putting him at No. 277 on Forbes‘ Rich List. He also owns the Miami Dolphins. You’d think the guy could afford a piddling $5 million apartment, but of course he doesn’t have to.
The Real Deal got word that Ross recently took control of a fourth-floor unit at Superior Ink, the record-setting condominium in the West Village designed by Robert A.M. Stern, for free.
Yep. $0.00. For a 1,929-square-foot three-bedroom with master bedroom and living room looking out onto the Hudson. The apartment was never listed, but you can get a gander of the downstairs unit on Streeteasy.
This is not the first time Ross has gotten such a sweet deal; his 35th-floor apartment at the Time Warner Center also came free in 2006. Naturally, he built both projects, so he’d kind of just be putting money back in his own pocket were he to buy the apartments.
Still, not everyone has it so easy. William Lie Zeckendorf had to pay more than $10 million for his penthouse at 15 Central Park West, the blockbuster condo across from the Time Warner Center he built with his brother Arthur. (He is at work on a record-breaking $40 million sale, so don’t feel to bad for William Lie.)
Among Ross’ new downtown neighbors will be Marc Jacobs and Hilary Swank.
It’s good to be the king.
mchaban@observer.com
