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Formula 1 Star Lewis Hamilton Gets $50 Million for One of His Two NYC Apartments
Almost as soon as he bought the Manhattan triplex penthouse in early 2017, for a scorching $44 million, front-of-the-pack Formula One racecar driver Lewis Hamilton, one of the wealthiest sportsmen in the world, with an annual haul estimated at close to $50 million, caught a classic case of the Real Estate Fickle.
The recently knighted 36-year-old Brit, who won the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last week and will start this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the coveted pole position as the odds-on favorite, never even moved into the 8,900-square-foot Tribeca aerie before he splashed out with the purchase of another insanely expensive penthouse just a block away and flipped the unwanted triplex back on the market just over two years ago for $57 million.
With no takers at the sky-high price, the ask was chopped to $52 million before some Richie Rich came along and paid $49.5 million for the six-bedroom and six-full-and-two-half-bath spread, to date the highest price paid this year for a downtown condo. As noted by the New York Post, the buyer’s identity is shielded behind an LLC with a Seattle address and there’s plenty of unsubstantiated speculation racing around the celebrity gossip grapevine the new owner is a big tech heavy hitter like Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos. (If you know, let us know!)
Inside the light-filled triplex with excessive space.
StreetEasy
An elevator opens directly into the foyer and a separate elevator services the penthouse’s three floors, while the double-height corner living room showcases exposed wood support beams and a 20-foot ceiling. Configured around a huge island with two dishwashers, the separate kitchen sports high-end finishes and all the culinary bells and whistles $50 million can buy.
Floor plans show there are three and potentially four guest bedrooms on the second level, along with a primary suite that consists of a private study, a morning bar and a walk-in closet. The main bedroom’s clean-lined bathroom is lavish though windowless. A den just off the main floor living room has an attached bath that makes it easily convertible to a sixth bedroom.
The top floor is devoted to a spacious lounge complete with wet bar and powder room. The lounge spills out through walls of accordion-fold glass doors to a pair of terraces, the larger a massive wrap around affair with sweeping city and river views. Marketing materials indicate there’s a plunge pool, though it’s not clear it’s been installed, and the unit transfers with two deeded parking spaces in the secured, on-site garage.A view of the skyline and neighborhood from the home’s interior.
StreetEasy
It’s unlikely the mystery buyer took out a standard mortgage but had they, the monthly costs for the penthouse (mortgage, taxes and building fees) would tally up to more than a quarter million bucks. Nick Gavin at Compass represented both Hamilton and the buyer.
Converted from a 19th-century book binding factory, the handsome, low-rise red-brick building has had massive appeal to high-profile people looking to come and go without being peeped by the public or snapped by paparazzi. The building has an enclosed motor court that allows that. There’s also a courtyard garden, a gym and a spectacular indoor swimming pool. A short list of the many celebs who own (or have owned) units in the building include Mike Myers, Rebel Wilson, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Meg Ryan, Jake Gylenhaal and Harry Styles.
The Formula One star’s other Tribeca penthouse was acquired in late 2018 for just over $40.7 million, and online records indicate it sprawls across more than 6,500 square feet with four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. Lewis, whose primary residence is in Monaco, is reported to also maintain homes in Geneva and London.
Check out more images of the property below.StreetEasy
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- in Luxury
Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers Just Bought This $14 Million Beverly Hills Compound
Michael “Flea” Balzary already owns two enviable homes in the Los Angeles area, a $7.5 million cottage in the Malibu Colony gated community and a funky $4.25 million compound in the La Crescenta foothills. The Red Hot Chili Pepper has always done well in real estate—last year, he sold a spicy oceanfront Malibu estate for $20 million to hedge fund manager Ross Laser, more than double what Balzary originally paid for the place—so he’s bolstering his real estate portfolio yet again, this time doling out an impressive $14 million for a 1.38-acre Mulholland Drive spread.
Though the house has a coveted 90210 zip code, it’s technically located in the steep mountains above LA’s Studio City neighborhood. Built way back in 1948, but completely renovated in the early 2000s by LA architect Aleks Istanbullu, the three-story architectural estate sold to Flea and his fashion designer wife Melody Ehsani for a nearly $2 million discount off the original $16.9 million ask. The sellers were former Paramount chief Adam Goodman and his wife Jessica, who acquired the formerly ranch-style estate in 2010 for $4.2 million from Emmy-winning animator Gábor Csupó of “Rugrats” fame. Before that, the property had been owned in the ’90s by Blue Note Records president Don Was.
The interior of the light-filled mansion.
Realtor.com
Out of sight from the street and resting beyond a long gated driveway, the private residence is secluded amid resort-like grounds and surrounded by famous neighbors — directly across the street is Jack Nicholson’s longtime main residence; also nearby are Warren Beatty’s massive mansion and Lana Del Rey’s multimillion-dollar compound.
Trimmed in green steel and redwood, the heavily modified architectural structure includes seven bedrooms and eight baths in over 7,300 square feet of living space. There are skylights and hardwood floors throughout, and glitzy amenities include a state-of-the-art Bel Air Circuit movie theater with a 15-foot screen and soda machine, plus an underground wine room — climate-controlled, naturally.The home’s movie theater with a 15-foot screen.
Realtor.com
The front door opens into a double-height living room ideal for entertaining, complete with walls of glass spilling out to an al fresco dining deck. Back inside, a set of steps leads past a library and up to a dining room, which in turn abuts a sleekly contemporary kitchen outfitted with luxe stainless appliances. Overlooking the living room is a mezzanine level holding a family room with its own cantilevered balcony; the home’s entire third level encompasses a sumptuous master suite with a sitting room, copper-faced fireplace, gym, steam shower, sauna and two rooftop decks offering up mountain views. A spa-like bath is equipped with a concrete soaking tub set beneath a big window.
Outside are lush, ultra-private grounds laden with custom amenities. A kitchen and wood-burning fireplace are great for outdoor catering, a firepit lounge area is perfect for s’mores, and a hepatica leaf-shaped pool boasts an “underwater viewing room.” Kids will love the trio of whimsical treehouses, which are connected by a suspension bridge. Adults may favor the putting green and the detached four-car garage. There are also guest quarters and an “art cabin,” per the listing.
The outdoor bar next to the hepatica leaf-shaped pool.
Realtor.com
Born in Australia but bred in New York, Flea remains best known as a founding member and bassist of L.A.-based rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, whose recordings have garnered them six Grammy awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The 59-year-old has also dabbled in acting, with roles in more than 20 films and TV shows including “Suburbia,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “The Big Lebowski.” Flea cofounded the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a nonprofit music education organization for underprivileged children; in 2019, he published “Acid for the Children,” a memoir of his early life.
Josh Altman and Matt Altman of the Altman Brothers Team at Douglas Elliman were the listing agents; Sherri Rogers and Anthony Stellini of Compass repped the buyer.
Check out more images of the property below.Realtor.com
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- in Luxury
Madonna’s Former Miami Mansion Has Been Listed for $31.7 Million by a Wealthy Dog (Yes, a Dog)
Well, every dog has its day.
A German shepherd is reportedly selling a Miami home for $31.7 million. The wealthy pooch is known as Gunther VI and currently holds a fortune originally inherited by the late Gunther III, who was left millions of dollars when his owner, German countess Karlotta Liebenstein, passed away in 1992. Gunther IV then allegedly purchased the home from Madonna for $7.5 million about 20 years ago, so its current asking price would turn a tidy profit.
How exactly a dog can own and sell a house is a matter of some debate: The New York Post has argued that the pampered canine isn’t really involved with the deal all. There’s even speculation that Liebenstein was entirely made up.
The entryway
LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass
Regardless of Gunther’s involvement (or lack thereof), the home itself is still for sale and could appeal to Northeastern snowbirds. It’s an 8,400-square-foot mansion altogether, with nine bedrooms and eight and a half bathrooms. It’s located on a coveted lot with 100 feet of water frontage and a dock.
The kitchen
LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass
The home’s architecture has clear Mediterranean influences, and the property sits on a 51,000-square-foot parcel of land. Outside there’s a pool with stone fountains plus a surrounding pavilion for lounging and entertaining. Gunther reportedly spends most of his days lounging in the primary bedroom, which has views of Biscayne Bay.
Gunther VI
LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass
Madonna caught wind of the listing, and that a dog might be selling it, and shared her thoughts on the matter on Instagram last week. She posted an image of Gunther and the residence on her Instagram story and said, “When you find out a dog is selling your old house for 3 times the amount you sold it for!” Her statement was followed by home and crying emojis.
The dining room
LPG for The Assouline Team at Compass
It is true that Florida real estate has become much more sought-after since the Queen of Pop parted with it all those years ago. Miami Beach ranked No. 5 in Property Shark’s annual ranking of most expensive zip codes in the US, so expect listings to continue rising in price in the area—although many may just end up tearing their new digs down and starting anew.
Check out more photos of the listing below: More - in Luxury
Inside Madonna’s $19 Million Hidden Hills Home (PHOTOS)
Front Aerial
Pop superstar Madonna purchased this Hidden Hills, California home for $19.3 million from singer The Weeknd earlier this year. The Weeknd originally purchased the home for $18.2 million in 2017 and listed it for sale last year for $24,995,000.
Located at 24220 Long Valley Road, the home is situated on 3 acres of land and boasts a main house and guest house.
The main house features over 12,000 square feet of living space with 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 2-story foyer with staircase, formal living & dining rooms, wine cellar, gourmet kitchen with double islands, breakfast room, family room, rear staircase, home office, home theater, wine cellar, 5-car garage and more.
The guest house features approximately 1,200 square feet of living space with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a gourmet kitchen.
Outdoor features include a motor court, balcony, patios, saltwater swimming pool with spa, kitchen/BBQ, pavilion with fireplace & 2 fire pits, basketball court, 8-stall barn (that he converted to a gym) and more. More
