Director Jason Reitman ordered a new mise-en-scene this week, buying an apartment in Chelsea with wife Michele. The couple paid $2.15 million for the co-op at 434 West 20th Street. They purchased the home from a Thomas Schieble, who lists Bloomsburg, Penn., as his current residence
The Observer talked with Corcoran broker Richard Hicks, who represented the owner on the deal, and he explained what attracted the director and his wife to the apartment. “The block, for one,” Mr. Hicks began,was a main draw. The apartment overlooks the New York Seminary’s sprawling front garden.
The townhouse in which the apartment is located, however, was also particularly appealing to the couple, said Mr. Hicks, “the fact that it was really prewar and had a lot of character. The character of the townhouse really attracted her the most.”
The apartment was entirely renovated in 2005, and architectural details were restored throughout the 1,600-square-foot three-bedroom, which Mr. Hicks called “extremely rare” in his listing. It also means plenty of room for Mr. Reitman’s trophies and awards, won for films such as Thank You for Smoking, Juno and Up in the Air.
eknutsen@observer.com
