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      Judge Judy’s Stylish N.Y.C. Penthouse Is Up for Grabs at $9.5 Million

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      Judy Sheindlin is officially slamming the gavel on her New York City penthouse. Per The New York Times, which first reported the listing, the reality TV personality best known as Judge Judy has hoisted her elegant Manhattan pied-à-terre on the market for $9.5 million. The listing is held by Tom Postilio and Mickey Conlon of Compass.

      Records show she and her husband Jerry, a former New York Supreme Court judge, acquired the duplex unit for $8.5 million back in 2013, shortly after selling a residence at The Sherry-Netherland hotel. Sheindlin, who also has owned homes in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Florida, and California, told the Times in an email, “We’ve enjoyed this jewel of an apartment. Time to simplify.”

      Sited within the 14-story, pre-war co-op apartment house at 14 Sutton Place South, which was designed by gifted architect Rosario Candela in the late 1920s, the couple’s city digs rest on the top two floors of the building, with four bedrooms and six baths spread across largely original yet modernized interiors outfitted with hardwood floors, high ceilings, classic moldings, and a curved wrought-iron and wood staircase. There’s also central air-conditioning, plus an integrated sound system, and an expansive wraparound terrace that’s ideal for al fresco lounging and dining.

      The penthouse’s expansive wraparound terrace is the perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying a meal outdoors.

      Eytan Stern Weber/Evan Joseph Images

      Other highlights include a semi-private elevator landing that opens into an upper-level entrance gallery bathed in inlaid marble. From there, the spacious living room boasts a wood-burning fireplace and large casement windows offering views of the East River; a blush-hued formal dining room has floor-to-ceiling French doors; and an eat-in kitchen is equipped with green marble countertops, a wood-topped island and high-end stainless appliances.

      Elsewhere is a handsome wood-paneled library displaying a fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves, along with a wine-storage alcove that’s been converted into a powder room. A downstairs primary suite hosts a seating area, lots of closet space, and built-in storage, as well as a spa-inspired bath equipped with dual vanities and a shower, and three additional guest bedrooms include two with their own baths and one with access to a hallway bath.

      The new owner also will be privy to plenty of amenities, courtesy of a hefty $10,130 monthly maintenance fee, including a 24/7 doorman, a resident manager, a common roof deck, a gym, a bike room, and a deeded private storage space.

      A former Manhattan prosecutor and family court judge, the 81-year-old Brooklyn native starred as the no-nonsense courtroom arbitrator in the Judge Judy TV series for 25 seasons, from 1996 to 2021, and currently appears in the Judy Justice show on Amazon Freevee. Her longtime husband, a former New York Supreme Court judge, also made his mark as a TV personality, having presided over The People’s Court for two seasons.

      Other Manhattan properties up for sale nearby include a newly relisted $16 million townhouse owned by Elvis director Baz Luhrmann and a five-story residence in the Lenox Hill neighborhood offered for $16.4 million. Don’t quite feel like making a commitment to buy? Check out this Fifth Avenue aerie overlooking the Met that just popped up on the rental market for $90,000 per month, complete with three landscaped terraces and a trio of outdoor showers.

      Click here for more photos of Judge Judy’s Manhattan penthouse.

      Eytan Stern Weber/Evan Joseph Images More

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      Baz Luhrmann Just Relisted His Dramatic N.Y.C. Townhouse for $16 Million

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      Baz Luhrmann’s New York City townhouse is back on the market, but you might not recognize it.  

      The Hollywood filmmaker and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin, have treated the stately Manhattan residence to an epic makeover and relisted it for just under $16 million. The palatial pad was first listed for $20 million in March 2022, then returned to the market in September 2023 with a price tag of $18 million. (In between, an unnamed tenant rented the house for a whopping $75,000 a month.) The current asking price seems like a bargain, then.

      “Whether you are looking for a home to entertain like Gatsby, or a tranquil and private abode to unwind and relax, No. 243 provides a unique opportunity to acquire a rare and significant piece of New York City real estate,” the Corcoran Group writes. 

      A formal dining room is located on the garden level.

      Nina Poon for Corcoran

      The Luhrmann’s have actually been working on the Stuyvesant Park brownstone for quite some time. The couple originally bought the 8,500-square-foot property in 2017 for $13.5 million. Two years later, they gave the place a makeover so impressive (and so massive) that it earned a spot in Robb Report’s annual Best of the Best issue. The five-story home was recently transformed from top to bottom by New York-based Interior Marketing Group. The historic Anglo-Italianate abode features six bedrooms, five full bathrooms, two powder rooms, an ivy-clad backyard, and an elevator. Highlights include soaring 16-foot ceilings, arched doorways, original moldings, five fireplaces, and a grand floating staircase.

      The primary suite has a private terrace.

      Nina Poon for Corcoran

      On the main parlor level, full-length windows and a cast-iron Juliet balcony overlook the park. To the rear, the primary suite is equipped with an en suite, a huge walk-in closet, and a private terrace. Elsewhere, the 28-foot-wide townhouse sports a Clive Christian-designed kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances from Viking and Sub-Zero, marble countertops, and painted pine cabinets.

      Down below, the basement is configured as a media room where you can perhaps screen one of the Tony Award-winning director’s famous flicks. Speaking of which, the uppermost floor used to be occupied by renowned jazz tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan and later served as Luhrmann’s studio where he’s said to have penned the script for Elvis. The floor is now set up as a standalone one-bedroom, one-bathroom suite with a living room, a bar, and a gym. Talk about theatrical charm.

      Broker Steve Gold of the Corcoran Group holds the listing. 

      Click here to see more photos of Baz Luhrmann’s townhouse. 

      Nina Poon for Corcoran

       

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

      Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

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      Martha Stewart Just Picked Up a $12.3 Million Condo at an Iconic N.Y.C. Building

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      Was it the fact that the New York City building is the site of a popular Hulu mystery-comedy series starring the likes of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez? Or maybe it’s because the place is within walking distance of the legendary Zabar’s deli and grocery store, where a certain well-known female entrepreneur has reportedly been visiting as of late for some very thinly sliced prosciutto? We might never know. But whatever the case, the attraction was more than sufficient for Martha Stewart and her daughter Alexis to dole out $12.3 million for a chic residence tucked away in The Belnord, aka The Arconia from Only Murders in the Building.

      Last priced at $13.2 million, the duplex unit at the former luxury apartment house went to the lifestyle maven and her media personality offspring at an impressive $6 million discount off the original $18 million ask way back in 2017. Crain’s New York Business, the first to report the transaction, revealed that the seller of the unit was The Belnord’s current developer, Westbrook Partners, which took over a lengthy condo-conversion project from HFZ Capital Group in 2021.

      Nestled within the 12-story, pre-war residential building, Stewart’s new home rests on the top two floors and overlooks the building’s landscaped interior courtyard as well as West 87th Street. Listings show there are six bedrooms and seven baths in 4,600 square feet of Robert A.M. Stern-designed living space boasting north and south exposures, 10-foot ceilings, and solid white oak floors with a mix of chevron and plank patterns.

      Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short on the set of “Only Murders in the Building” at The Belnord, which is used for all exterior and courtyard scenes involving The Arconia.

      James Devaney/GC Images

      Highlights include a formal entry foyer that leads to a spacious living room sporting a wall of oversized windows. An adjacent dining area connects to a custom-designed Molteni kitchen equipped with custom cabinetry, Calacatta marble countertops, high-end Gaggenau appliances, a 45-bottle Sub-Zero wine refrigerator, and an integrated storage banquette.

      The elegant primary suite holds an outdoor terrace, a large walk-in closet, and a luxe marble-clad bath with radiant heated floors, bespoke vanities, and Kohler, Dornbracht and Kallista fixtures; elsewhere is a powder room flaunting polished Nero Marquina marble and a Snow White marble-carved sink, plus a laundry room equipped with a Whirlpool washer and dryer.

      The Stewarts will be privy to plenty of building amenities and services courtesy of a hefty $4,493 monthly common charge fee, including a 24-hour doorman, an entertainment lounge with a catering kitchen, a plush game room, a double-height sport court, a fitness center, and a children’s playroom.

      In addition to the new home at The Belnord, Stewart’s primary residence is a 156-acre estate in Westchester County, N.Y., that she paid $15.2 million for in 2002. According to Crains, the Emmy Award-winning TV host, entrepreneur, and bestselling author sold the family’s West Village triplex apartment for $31 million early last year, shortly before she and her daughter both signed the deed at The Belnord in April 2023. More

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      A Chinese Billionaire Just Spent More Than $250 Million on Lavish Mansions Spanning Half the Globe

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      Three months ago, Asia-based real estate blog Mingtiandi reported on the sale of one of Hong Kong’s most extravagant homes, a nearly 12,000-square-foot hilltop mansion in the ultra-prestigious Peak neighborhood. The house, a limestone-faced and liberally embellished two-story structure with unobstructed views of the city skyline and Victoria Harbour, sold for HK$838 million, or roughly $107 million USD.

      The sale was notable not just because it ranks as one of Hong Kong’s biggest real estate deals over the past couple of years, but because it’s one of the few ultra-luxury Hong Kong homes that have sold to a Mainland Chinese buyer in recent years, amid an ongoing Hong Kong housing slump and a sluggish mainland economy. Per property records, the house was acquired by an entity controlled by a Shenzhen-based woman named Gu Fang.

      The palatial mansion sold for a discounted $107 million in early 2024, a rare bright spot in Hong Kong’s sluggish real estate market.

      Google Earth

      People familiar with the properties now tell Robb Report that the same woman, Gu, is also directly linked to the purchase of three of the most expensive U.S. homes that have sold in the past 18 months, two of them being high-profile estates with Hollywood celebrity ties. In October 2022, a mystery buyer paid $55 million for the Newport Coast mansion of reality TV personalities Dr. Terry and Heather Dubrow. Four months later, a mystery buyer dropped another $55 million on the wildly extravagant Beverly Hills mansion of actor Mark Wahlberg.

      Although the new owner’s name was not revealed at that time, it was widely reported that both the Dubrows’ home and Wahlberg’s estate were acquired by the same buyer, an anonymous Mainland Chinese billionaire now believed to be directly associated with Gu.

      In late 2022, Heather Dubrow’s 20,000-square-foot Newport Coast mansion sold for $55 million to an LLC linked to Gu Fang.

      Google Earth

      Gu, believed to be in her 50s, is the longtime wife of Xu Hang, one of China’s richest men and the co-founder of Mindray Medical, China’s largest medical device manufacturer.

      It’s perhaps not such a surprise that Xu and Gu would be on the hunt for ultra-luxury homes, despite China’s broader economic slowdown. The Covid-19 pandemic proved extraordinarily lucrative for Mindray; in 2020, the net worth of company cofounder Li Xiting—Singapore’s richest man—was reported to be increasing by a mind-bending $1 billion per month due to high worldwide demand for ventilators. As for Xu, Forbes says his personal net worth has likewise ballooned over the past few years, from $1.8 billion in 2018 to a peak of $19.5 billion in 2021. The Bloomberg Billionaire Index pegs his current wealth at $12.1 billion, making him Shenzhen’s richest man, while Forbes notes he is the world’s fourth-wealthiest man in the healthcare industry.

      Located in the Beverly Park gated community, Mark Wahlberg’s house sold in early 2023 for $55 million to an LLC linked to Gu Fang.

      Google Earth

      As it turns out, the Beverly Hills, Newport Coast and Hong Kong mansions are not the only extravagant homes in Xu’s portfolio. In early 2023, billionaire real estate developer Stephen Ross sold his mansion-sized penthouse at the Time Warner Center in New York City for $40 million, a major discount off the unit’s original $75 million ask. The buyer, records show, was yet another LLC with links to Xu and Gu.

      A lavish penthouse at Manhattan’s Time Warner Center sold in early 2023 for $40 million to an LLC linked to Gu Fang.

      Getty Images

      Putting all four purchases together reveals Xu has spent $257 million—in cash—on luxury real estate since late 2022, though it’s also worth noting that the tycoon has scored major discounts on at least three of his four new properties. The Hong Kong manor, sold for $107 million, had been originally offered at a lofty $166 million. Similarly, the Wahlberg house and Manhattan penthouse were also acquired at substantial discounts—the Wahlberg property at a 37% discount off its $87.5 million list and the N.Y.C. place at 47% below the original ask.

      In all, Xu shaved off a combined $126 million from the asking prices three homes alone. The fourth property, the Dubrow estate, was never officially listed on the open market, though it had reportedly been marketed as a pocket listing with an asking price of more than $60 million. More

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      Rosie O’Donnell Faces a Loss on Her New York City Penthouse

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      In spring of last year, Rosie O’Donnell hoisted her New York City penthouse onto the market for $8.3 million amid an announcement that she was relocating to the West Coast, specifically a rented beachfront home in Malibu that she shares with her youngest daughter Dakota. Now, following its removal from the market in December, the comedian and talk show host’s lofty digs tucked away in Midtown Manhattan’s Turtle Bay neighborhood have once again resurfaced for sale, this time asking a discounted $7.5 million. The listing is held by Caroline Bass of The Corcoran Group.

      Acquired by O’Donnell for $8 million in 2017 after an extensive renovation by its previous owners, the duplex rests on the top two floors of the 33-story Sterling Plaza tower, a 172-unit development built in the mid-1980s, and offers four bedrooms and three baths spread across roughly 3,600 square feet of two-level living space boasting Russian wide-plank oak floors, decorative millwork, designer lighting, a Guggenheim-inspired staircase, and Savant and Nest home-automation systems. A spacious roof terrace also has plenty of room for al fresco lounging and entertaining amid sweeping views of the East River, as well as the Chrysler and Empire State buildings.

      The 1,620-square-foot roof terrace comes complete with an enclosed pantry and kitchenette.

      Russ Ross Photography

      Among the highlights: a small entryway that flows to a window-lined great room holding a living area centered around a massive honed black granite wood-burning fireplace and wet bar-equipped dining room displaying a built-in window seat, along with a streamlined Boffi kitchen sporting Corian countertops, an eat-in island, and top-tier Gaggeanu and Miele appliances.

      Elsewhere is a Swedish sauna, plus a secluded primary bedroom brandishing six custom-designed closets, an additional walk-in closet, and a luxe marble bath equipped with heated floors, dual vanities, a freestanding soaking tub and glass-encased steam shower; and topping it all off is a hefty $5,119 monthly maintenance charge, which allows owners access to a 24-hour doorman and concierge.

      O’Donnell, 62, began her career as a stand-up comic in the late 1970s and early ’80s, and went on to host her eponymous talk show from ’96-2002 and then The View. The Long Island-born actress, who recently starred in Showtime’s American Gigolo reboot, previously bought a modern farmhouse-style mansion in the Beverlywood area of Los Angeles for $4.6 million in late 2021, only to sell it a short four months later for a $300,000 profit.

      Click here for more photos of Rosie O’Donnell’s New York City penthouse.

      Russ Ross Photography More

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      A ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Sky-High N.Y.C. Penthouse Seeks $38 Million

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      About a year ago, Robert Herjavec made heads spin when he forked over $26 million for an estate in Hidden Hills, the same gated Los Angeles suburb known for serving as home base to most of the Kardashian family members and various other celebrities. That sale price represented the most ever paid for a home in the exclusive community.

      So perhaps it’s not entirely surprising that Herjavec, a veteran Shark Tank judge and the founder and CEO of an eponymous IT security company, has now opted to sell one of his several other extravagant homes—this one a sky-high penthouse in the Big Apple.

      The penthouse is on one of the highest floors at the super-tall One57, one of N.Y.C.’s most well-known skyscrapers.

      Evan Joseph Images

      Listed at $38.5 million, and soaring high above nearly every other apartment in the city, Herjavec’s New York home spans an entire upper floor of One57, a much-publicized, 75-story skyscraper set on Manhattan’s so-called “Billionaires’ Row.” Herjavec acquired the penthouse nearly three years ago, paying about $32 million.

      Accessed via a private elevator landing, the mansion-sized condo’s visual drama starts at the entryway, where a 26-foot-wide foyer boasts two separate entrances to the home’s so-called “grand salon,” a great room with dizzying views framed by floor-to-ceiling walls of glass. This space boasts 58 feet of linear frontage overlooking Central Park, plus nearly the entire New York skyline and beyond.

      Naturally, all finishes and furnishings are bespoke and top-of-the-line, with Venetian plaster ceilings overlooking glossy Brazilian herringbone wood floors. The kitchen’s custom lacquered millwork will certainly impress, as will the premium Miele and Sub-Zero appliances; a built-in banquette and a separate, more formal dining area both have dramatic views overlooking the city.

      The primary suite itself is larger than many Manhattan apartments.

      Evan Joseph Images

      The 6,240-square-foot residence also includes four ensuite bedrooms, among them a 1,350-square-foot primary suite ensconced in its own wing, and complete with an elegant sitting area, a sumptuous dressing room and a hand-carved marble bathtub. All of the home’s bathrooms are done up in travertine or exotic slabs of marble, and every room on the premises features custom motorized shades for tranquility at the touch of one’s fingertips.

      Other amenities include a state-of-the-art home automation system, while building amenities are not limited to valet parking, a health club with a gym, private pool and spa, various dining and screening rooms, a library and billiards room, 24/7 concierge and even a pet spa. All of those ritzy features—and many more—are covered by a monthly HOA bill that tops $11,800.

      In addition to his relatively new Hidden Hills estate, Herjavec also owns several other multimillion-dollar homes. Among them are a bayfront getaway in California’s Newport Beach, a $15 million mansion in Sydney, Australia, and a waterfront residence in the Canadian township of Muskoka Lakes.

      Jorge Lopez of Compass holds the listing. Images by Evan Joseph Photography.

      Click here for more photos of Robert Herjavec’s Manhattan penthouse.

      Evan Joseph Images More

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      Artist Chuck Close’s Former Manhattan Home Hits the Market for $8 Million

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      Acclaimed artist and photographer Chuck Close lived and worked on Manhattan’s Bond Street for decades up until his passing in 2021 at the age of 81. Now, the late painter’s former Noho apartment is coming on the market for just shy of $8 million.  

      Soon to be listed with Emily Beare of Core NYC, the 2,478-square-foot loft occupies the entire ninth floor of the Deborah Berke-designed building at 48 Bond Street. The architect, the founder of TenBerke, is best known for her work at The New School College of Performing Arts and Yale University School of Art.

      Altogether, the former Close pad comprises four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and an abundance of outdoor space. According to The Real Deal, Close and his wife, Leslie, shelled out a cool $5.85 million for the condo back in 2008. The location was convenient; at the time, Close also owned a 2,500-square-foot live/work studio down the block at 20 Bond Street.

      The kitchen is sleek and spacious, with enough room for a large marble dining table.

      Evan Joseph of Evan Joseph Photography

      The light-filled loft comes with a private elevator landing that opens up to the home’s entrance gallery, soaring 10-foot ceilings, and walnut flooring throughout. Past the entry is an open-plan living and dining area with a linear fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows onto the south-facing terrace. The terrace, renovated by the current owner, according to listing details, sports lush landscaping, an irrigation system, a barbecue area, and plenty of space for lounging. 

      Elsewhere, the eat-in kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances, including a wine fridge and double oven. There’s also a breakfast nook and a balcony with views of the Empire State Building. The modern-looking primary suite has a ton of great features going in its favor as well. For example, the principal bedroom is decked out with a marble and tile ensuite bath, a spacious walk-in closet, and access to the sunny terrace. 

      The landscaped terrace features a built-in grill and an automated irrigation system.

      Evan Joseph of Evan Joseph Photography

      Completed in 2006, the 11-story boutique condominium packs in the perks for residents of its 14 units, including a 60-foot indoor lap pool, a fitness center with a steam room, bike storage, and laundry facilities. In addition, Close, who’s remembered for his conceptual portraiture, has an original piece hanging in the lobby.

      Over the years, the co-op has hosted a fair share of A-listers and celeb tenants. Most notably, The New York Post reported that actress Annette Bening once called 48 Bond Street home. 

      Click here to see more photos of Chuck Close’s former apartment.  

      Evan Joseph of Evan Joseph Photography

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

      Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, dining, travel and topics…

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      An Emmy-Winning TV Host Is Selling Her N.Y.C. Townhouse for $25 Million

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      Emmy Award-winning TV host and producer Yue-Sai Kan has been at the helm of hit shows including Looking East, and now she’s put her longtime New York City townhouse back up for sale. Kan, who’s earned the title “Oprah of China,” is also a bestselling author and beauty mogul.

      Located on the Upper East Side, the six-story spread is nestled within the affluent Sutton Place neighborhood—one of the most exclusive enclaves in all of Manhattan. The historic residence is asking just shy of $25 million, which is $5 million less than the pad was listed for last year. According to The Wall Street Journal, Kan originally bought the place back in 1989 for $4.5 million. The home was previously owned by Peter Sprague, the former co-owner of Aston Martin, and also by the late literary editor Jean Stein. 

      The rooftop terrace overlooks the East River.

      Allan Pollack

      Altogether, the 8,500-square-foot property measures 33 feet wide and comprises a whopping seven bedrooms and six full bathrooms. Over the last 35 years, the red brick abode has been through several renovations. The most recent update was completed in 2015 and resulted in a brand-new rooftop terrace with an outdoor kitchen, perfect for entertaining or taking in the views of the East River.  

      “When you walk in the house, you immediately feel comfortable energy. In Chinese it means very good feng shui,” Kan told The New York Post. “In numerology, six is the luckiest number. It’s the planet of Jupiter which is the planet of luck and abundance. This could be why it has been a good house for me. Since I lived in the house, my business just flew off the chart.” 

      A gold mural of a dragon is painted on the ceiling of the library.

      Allan Pollack

      Inside, the Neo-Georgian building is brimming with style and flooded with natural light thanks to an abundance of oversized windows. The foyer sports a carved teak door and marble mosaic floors, while a gold dragon mural embellishes the ceiling in the library. Other highlights include a formal sitting room and a mahogany-clad formal dining room that both open to a garden-level terrace, and a 32-foot-long grand salon with a fireplace on the third floor. Elsewhere, the spacious primary suite occupies the entire fifth floor and is decked out with a sitting area, a fitted dressing room (plus a walk-in closet), and a spa area complete with a sauna and a morning bar. A tiny elevator services all six floors, plus the basement.

      The best perk in a city where most people are starved for outdoor space, however, is that 6 Sutton Square is one of just 14 neighboring townhouses that have shared access to Jones Wood Garden, a 12,000-square-foot private park. “This is an amazing amenity that is not available anywhere else,” Sonia Bendt of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties told The Post. “The open vistas of the East River and bridge are magical.” 

      Click here to see all the photos of Yue-Sai Kan’s N.Y.C. townhouse.

      Allan Pollack

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

      Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, dining, travel and topics…

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