Streetscape including 13 Gay Street, former home of William Kunstler (Brown Harris Stevens)
As 2022 drew to a close and 2023 began, a number of notable apartment and townhouse sales were recorded throughout New York City. This article takes a look at some of the highest-priced sales linked to famous names across business, politics, and entertainment.
In this article:
Ambassador Kenneth I. Juster
109 East 79th Street, #11E (The Corcoran Group)
As of this writing, sales have closed on more than one third of the apartments at 109 East 79th Street. Public records indicate that the building has attracted a number of business moguls and at least one former ambassador: The Kenneth I. Juster Revocable Trust, which names a former United States ambassador to India and longtime business executive, is listed as the buyer of a three-bedroom unit.
From the Listing:
Residence 11 East is a graciously proportioned 2,741-square-foot half-floor residence with custom design by Steven Harris Architects. Featuring three bedrooms, three ensuite bathrooms, powder room, and laundry room this home offers 10’0" ceilings and north, south, and east exposures. Elegant architectural details and materials throughout include oversized casement-style windows in a white bronze finish, 4" wide rift and quarter sawn American white oak flooring set in a chevron pattern in all living areas, recessed panel stile and rail doors with burnished nickel Nanz hardware, and custom plaster cornices in all primary rooms, hallways, vestibules, primary bathrooms, and powder rooms.
Through a private and keyed entry vestibule finished with honed St. Clair marble flooring and wire brushed rift cut European white oak wall paneling with integrated closets, residents are greeted by a secure steel and tempered art glass entry door leading into a stately entry gallery. The entry gallery leads to the expansive 39’0" x 15’10" corner living and dining room, featuring four large-scale casement-style windows overlooking historic townhouses and protected gardens.
From the Listing:
Residence 11 East is a graciously proportioned 2,741-square-foot half-floor residence with custom design by Steven Harris Architects. Featuring three bedrooms, three ensuite bathrooms, powder room, and laundry room this home offers 10’0" ceilings and north, south, and east exposures. Elegant architectural details and materials throughout include oversized casement-style windows in a white bronze finish, 4" wide rift and quarter sawn American white oak flooring set in a chevron pattern in all living areas, recessed panel stile and rail doors with burnished nickel Nanz hardware, and custom plaster cornices in all primary rooms, hallways, vestibules, primary bathrooms, and powder rooms.
Through a private and keyed entry vestibule finished with honed St. Clair marble flooring and wire brushed rift cut European white oak wall paneling with integrated closets, residents are greeted by a secure steel and tempered art glass entry door leading into a stately entry gallery. The entry gallery leads to the expansive 39’0" x 15’10" corner living and dining room, featuring four large-scale casement-style windows overlooking historic townhouses and protected gardens.
2 Available Listings for Sale from $5,950,000
Matteo del Vecchio
The Woolworth Tower Residences, #45A (Sotheby's International Group)
As owners of Luxottica, the world's largest eyewear company, the Del Vecchio family is the second-richest in Italy and one of the richest in the world. Matteo Del Vecchio, a grandson of founder Leonardo Del Vecchio, has just offloaded his apartment in the Woolworth Tower and made a $1 million profit on it; less than a year ago, the New York Post announced that he had bought it for $5.5 million.
From the Listing:
Unit 45A is set nearly 600 feet above street level and features panoramic city and river views throughout the apartment’s twelve oversized 7’ windows. This peaceful home has been upgraded throughout and features an expansive eat-in chef’s kitchen with Calacatta Caldia marble countertops, custom Dada cabinetry, integrated Dornbracht fixtures, and the full suite of Miele appliances. The oversized corner primary bedroom suite features ample closet space customized by Poliform, as well as a spa-like primary bathroom with steam shower, Porcelanosa soaking tub, dual-vanity with Dornbracht platinum-finish fixtures, full-slab Calacatta Caldia marble walls, and radiant heat floors.
This luxurious smart home also features solid oak herringbone floors throughout, 8’ solid core doors with Nanz hardware, solar Lutron shades, full-sized washer and dryer, and large custom-designed Poliform closets throughout.
From the Listing:
Unit 45A is set nearly 600 feet above street level and features panoramic city and river views throughout the apartment’s twelve oversized 7’ windows. This peaceful home has been upgraded throughout and features an expansive eat-in chef’s kitchen with Calacatta Caldia marble countertops, custom Dada cabinetry, integrated Dornbracht fixtures, and the full suite of Miele appliances. The oversized corner primary bedroom suite features ample closet space customized by Poliform, as well as a spa-like primary bathroom with steam shower, Porcelanosa soaking tub, dual-vanity with Dornbracht platinum-finish fixtures, full-slab Calacatta Caldia marble walls, and radiant heat floors.
This luxurious smart home also features solid oak herringbone floors throughout, 8’ solid core doors with Nanz hardware, solar Lutron shades, full-sized washer and dryer, and large custom-designed Poliform closets throughout.
1 Available Listing for Sale for $59,000,000
William Kunstler and Margaret Ratner Kunstler
13 Gay Street, #TH (Brown Harris Stevens)
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Throughout his celebrated career, lawyer/civil rights activist William Kunstler shot to fame by defending the Chicago Seven; he also defended Freedom Riders as well as members of the American Indian Movement, the Black Panther Party, and Attica Prison rioters. He and his wife, fellow attorney Margaret Ratner Kunstler, bought a Greenwich Village townhouse for $225,000 in 1981 (h/t The Wall Street Journal), having first rented it in 1976, and he used part of the first floor as an office for his law practice. Years after his death, public records indicate that the townhouse has sold for nearly 29 times what he paid for it.
From the Listing:
13 Gay Street, between Waverly Place and Christopher Street, is a charming 1844 Greek Revival period townhouse on the most picturesque lane-like street in the Village. East West exposures fill the house with light and 19th century views are a visual step back in time. A historic landmark in more than one sense, this was home to civil rights activist attorneys William Kunstler and Margaret Ratner Kunstler, champions of every major civil rights and radical activist cause from the 60s onward. Presently occupied as a single family home, there are 8 rooms on 4 floors, with 3 full baths and one half bath, an open parlor and kitchen, 4 bedrooms on the upper floors and a garden level floor with 2 live/workspaces with commercial zoning, or possible use as additional bedroom space.
From the Listing:
13 Gay Street, between Waverly Place and Christopher Street, is a charming 1844 Greek Revival period townhouse on the most picturesque lane-like street in the Village. East West exposures fill the house with light and 19th century views are a visual step back in time. A historic landmark in more than one sense, this was home to civil rights activist attorneys William Kunstler and Margaret Ratner Kunstler, champions of every major civil rights and radical activist cause from the 60s onward. Presently occupied as a single family home, there are 8 rooms on 4 floors, with 3 full baths and one half bath, an open parlor and kitchen, 4 bedrooms on the upper floors and a garden level floor with 2 live/workspaces with commercial zoning, or possible use as additional bedroom space.
Susan Daimler
42 Wooster Street (Sotheby's International Realty)
Before her promotion to president of Zillow Group, Susan Daimler was the general manager of Streeteasy; her husband, Matthew Daimler, is also a Zillow executive. The couple's real estate savvy extends to their personal holdings - public records indicate that they have recently sold their Soho loft and made a generous profit on it, having bought it for $2,875,000 in September 2007.
1 Available Listing for Sale for $10,875,000
Lauren Buglioli
18 East 12th Street (CityRealty)
18 East 12th Street, #11A (The Agency)
Between upcoming series Florida Man, Bad Monkey, and movie The Neon Highway, actress Lauren Bulglioli has been extremely busy lately. Perhaps too busy to enjoy her Greenwich Village apartment - public records indicate that she has recently sold it.
From the Listing:
Apt #11 A is a gut renovated, mint condition 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom unit spanning a spacious floor plan with immaculate hardwood floors, oversized windows, and high ceilings accentuated by a boutique designer loft. Sunlight surrounds over 10 window exposures emitting bright, natural light in every room. With the unit facing south, enjoy a daily dose of postcard-worthy views of the Freedom Tower and Lower Manhattan skyline.
Convenient and comfortable, the open chef’s kitchen includes a breakfast bar, separate dining area, built-in stainless steel appliances, track lighting, custom cabinets, and Caesarstone quartz counters and backsplash. The quaint primary bedroom is considerably sized with wide, beaming windows encompassing “pin-drop” silent serenity. The private quarters contain a spectacular custom closet with built-in shelving, furnishings, and dressing room décor.
From the Listing:
Apt #11 A is a gut renovated, mint condition 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom unit spanning a spacious floor plan with immaculate hardwood floors, oversized windows, and high ceilings accentuated by a boutique designer loft. Sunlight surrounds over 10 window exposures emitting bright, natural light in every room. With the unit facing south, enjoy a daily dose of postcard-worthy views of the Freedom Tower and Lower Manhattan skyline.
Convenient and comfortable, the open chef’s kitchen includes a breakfast bar, separate dining area, built-in stainless steel appliances, track lighting, custom cabinets, and Caesarstone quartz counters and backsplash. The quaint primary bedroom is considerably sized with wide, beaming windows encompassing “pin-drop” silent serenity. The private quarters contain a spectacular custom closet with built-in shelving, furnishings, and dressing room décor.
Nicole Seligman
The Lonsdale, #PHB (Douglas Elliman)
Attorney Nicole Seligman's celebrated legal career has included a stint as a law clerk for Justice Thurgood Marshall, and later representing Lt. Col. Oliver North during the Iran-Contra hearings and former President Bill Clinton during his impeachment trial; she has also served as the president of Sony Corporation. Public records indicate that she has just purchased a Park Avenue cooperative from another powerful woman, Adara Capital managing partner Leslie Carranza.
From the Listing:
Penthouse B at 565 Park Avenue is a one-of-a-kind, loft-like residence with an expansive dual-level terrace. This home is filled with character and has tons of potential for expansion to suit your needs. Due to its top-floor setting, oversized windows, and huge skylight, it is flooded with light all day long. Upon entering, you are immediately drawn to the large windows and doors that lead you out to the large wrap-around terrace on the lower level with lots of privacy. The windowed kitchen was been updated with new marble counters and top-of-line appliances. Across from the kitchen is the home office/secondary bedroom that is lined with built-in storage and has a renovated ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower. The primary bedroom also boasts built-ins and two windows with northern and eastern exposures. On the upper level, there is a bonus room that sits beneath the large skylight which allows you to the take in the breathtaking skyline views from indoors. Also accessible from the upper level is the piece de resistance, a breathtaking rooftop oasis with three exposures that include views stretching to the tree tops of Central Park and beyond. Additional features include an in-unit washer/dryer, hardwood floors, custom built-ins, and a split unit a/c system.
From the Listing:
Penthouse B at 565 Park Avenue is a one-of-a-kind, loft-like residence with an expansive dual-level terrace. This home is filled with character and has tons of potential for expansion to suit your needs. Due to its top-floor setting, oversized windows, and huge skylight, it is flooded with light all day long. Upon entering, you are immediately drawn to the large windows and doors that lead you out to the large wrap-around terrace on the lower level with lots of privacy. The windowed kitchen was been updated with new marble counters and top-of-line appliances. Across from the kitchen is the home office/secondary bedroom that is lined with built-in storage and has a renovated ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower. The primary bedroom also boasts built-ins and two windows with northern and eastern exposures. On the upper level, there is a bonus room that sits beneath the large skylight which allows you to the take in the breathtaking skyline views from indoors. Also accessible from the upper level is the piece de resistance, a breathtaking rooftop oasis with three exposures that include views stretching to the tree tops of Central Park and beyond. Additional features include an in-unit washer/dryer, hardwood floors, custom built-ins, and a split unit a/c system.
1 Available Listing for Sale for $4,600,000
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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