Penthouse in “the cathedral of commerce” that is the Woolworth Building in New York for sale for £60 million in spite of just being a raw space
Boldly described by developers Alchemy Properties as “the most extraordinary penthouse in Tribeca’s history,” a six-storey penthouse in what was the tallest building in the world between 1912 and 1930 has had its price slashed from £83.9 million ($110 million, €98.2 million or درهم404 million) in 2017 to £60.3 million ($79 million, €70.6 million or درهم290.1 million).
A cutaway rendering of the penthouse that could be created.Designs by architect David Hotson indicate how the interior could look.A sculpture of Cass Gilbert holding a model of the Woolworth Building is one of many “strange faces” lurking throughout the building.
Situated within the Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway that was designed by the architect Cass Gilbert and built between 1910 and 1912, the space offered takes the form of an octagonal pyramid and was originally used as an observatory deck. Some 300,000 people visited annually, but after the Pearl Harbour attack it was closed as a “security measure” in 1941.
Consisting currently of a 9,860 square foot “white box” that is 636-foot to 727-foot above the ground, this “castle in the sky” includes a 408 square foot roof terrace and comes with access to the building’s amentities. They number a full-time concierge, a 24-hour doorman, a fitness centre with a 50-foot lap pool, a wine cellar and tasting room.
Originally the headquarters of Frank W. Woolworth, a businessman who founded a chain of popular five-and-ten-cent stores, the top thirty floors were sold to a developer in 2012 for conversion from office to residential. In the time since, sales have been slow and as of February this year only three of the thirty-one condos created have sold.
Box seating twelve people at the Royal Albert Hall for sale for the same price as a 15,000 square foot ‘castle’ in County Durham
A box at the Royal Albert Hall has gone on sale for the same price as a 15,000 square foot, Sir John Soane designed ‘castle’ in County Durham.
Capable of seating twelve people, it is described as “commanding exceptional views of the main stage and auditorium” and a place where the purchaser “will be able to entertain [their] guests in style.”
Grand Tier Box 25 is close to the Royal Box at the Royal Albert Hall. £3 million is sought for it.£3 million is sought for The Castle at Castle Eden, County Durham.The interior of the castle offered.
Alternatively and without spending a penny more or a penny less, a buyer could snag themselves the Grade II* listed ‘The Castle’ at Castle Eden, near Durham. The mansion, built circa 1700, stands in 14 acres and includes 11 bedrooms, an orangery and a cupola dome.
Pugin designed 14,000 square foot mansion with two panic rooms for rent in Liverpool; its décor leaves a lot to be desired but it does come with a beer pump
A gaudily decorated Grade II* listed mansion in Childwall, Liverpool complete with not just one, but two panic rooms has been placed on the rental market for the somewhat ambitious sum of £9,000 per month ($12,000, €10,800 or درهم44,200).
Formerly known as St Joseph’s during its time as a nursing home, Oswaldcroft was subject to an attempt to convert it into 22 homes in 2013. This planning application was refused and subsequently the building reverted to use as a single residence.
Set on a plot of 0.65 acres and built in 1865 to designs by Augustus Pugin (1812 – 1852), Oswaldcroft includes 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and 2 kitchens (one with a beer pump). It has a cinema room, a gym, an infra-red sauna, a 6-person hot tub, a lift to all floors, air conditioning, CCTV system, mobile panic activation and panic rooms en-suite to its two main bedrooms.
Marketed by Denton Clark as having been “modernised throughout to a beautiful eloquent standard,” interested parties would be advised to put on their sunglasses: The décor is anything but neutral.
Section of Knightsbridge church conversion for sale for 5,000% more than it sold for in 1998 or 450% more than it fetched in 2003; this £55 million property is more hellish than homely
In October, The Guardian reported on a play about a school being performed at a church in Knightsbridge. In it “disadvantaged and alienated young people” explored issues such as knife crime (which has sadly claimed several victims in this location around the corner from Harrods in the last two years). Now, in complete contrast, another section of the very same building where that drama was put on is on sale for a staggering sum.
Though double the size of the £37,000 Gothic mansion in Auburn, New York we featured yesterday at 12,102 square foot, St Saviour’s House – which forms one third of a building constructed to the designs of George Basevi (1794 – 1845) between 1838 and 1840 – is quite the opposite of that charming example of Victorian architecture. In July 2001, it was described by The Telegraph’s Anne Atkins as a “ghastly temple to Mammon” and most would agree with that sentiment.
Not holding back, at a time when the property was for sale for (just) £10 million, Atkins went further. “It is so awful I hardly know where to begin,” she mused; “not my idea of a cosy home… Hideous and tacky… I tried to imagine living with this… The monstrosity of it… Vile,” she continued.
Subsequently owned by the writer of the musical adaptation of Les Misérables, Alain Boublil, between 2003 and 2009, all that was put in during the original no doubt costly redevelopment of St Saviour’s House was again ripped out in 2009 after it was sold to a Thai businessman. Only she whose “extravagance knew no bounds” Barbara Amiel would have been proud of this Imelda Marcos-like behaviour.
The house subsequently created was then altered yet again in 2014 when an Arab bought it and once again the resulting 5 reception room, 7 bedroom, 7 bathroom Grade II listed residence is for sale freehold through Knight Frank. A price of £55 million is sought and for that a buyer will also get a swimming pool, media room with bar, a glass lift and parking for three cars.
One thing’s for certain about this dark “disaster” of a house – Anne Atkins won’t be putting in a bid.
The Numbers – St Saviour’s House, Walton Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 1SA
December 2019 – For sale for £55 million ($73 million, €66 million or درهم269 million).
April 2014 – Sold to a Saudi businessman for £41 million ($55 million, €49 million or درهم201 million).
2009 – Sold to a Thai businessman for £13.5 million ($18 million, €16 million or درهم66 million). An additional £10 million ($13.3 million, €12 million or درهم49 million) was spent on redevelopment.
2003 – Bought by lyricist Alain Boublil for £10 million ($13.3 million, €12 million or درهم49 million).
1998 – Half the church and the church hall sold by the Diocese of London for about £1.2 million ($1.6 million, €1.4 million or درهم5.9 million) for conversion into two dwellings. The central portion of the building retained as a place of worship.
1837 – Plot on which entirety of St Saviour’s Church now sits sold for £300 or the equivalent of £33,000 today ($44,000, €40,000 or درهم162,000 today) to the Metropolitan Church Fund.
Victorian New York state mansion in the area where the world’s first execution by electric chair occurred goes on sale for just £37,000 in spite of being tax assessed for a far higher sum
“Vegetable peddler and known alcoholic” William Kemmler (1860 – 1890) was the first person in the world to be legally executed using an electric chair.
Kemmler’s death was far from smooth and took over eight minutes. His body is said to have caught fire during the process, yet this common-law-wife murderer supposedly “did not scream, cry or resist in any way.” Of the “awful spectacle,” The New York Times reported: “An awful odour began to permeate the death chamber, and then, as though to cap the climax of this fearful sight, it was seen that the hair under and around the electrode on the head and the flesh under and around the electrode at the base of the spine was singeing. The stench was unbearable.”
The James Seymour Mansion, 113 North Street, Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, NY 13021, United States of America in 1862.
On the day of his execution, Kemmler supposedly remarked: “Gentlemen, I wish you all good luck. I believe I am going to a good place, and I am ready to go.” He added: “Take it easy and do it properly, I’m in no hurry.” The process was later described as a “historic bungle” and “disgusting, sick and inhuman.”
Now, a huge Gothic revival Victorian mansion – built in 1861 for a banker and philanthropist named James Seymour (1791 – 1875) – in the place of Kemmler’s death, Auburn, a city in Cayuga County, New York, has been placed for sale just £37,000 ($50,000, €45,000 or درهم184,000) after being acquired by the local authority through a property tax foreclosure in June.
Situated on a 0.9 acre plot, the ‘James Seymour Mansion’ (as it is known) or more simply 113 North Street, has 10 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. It has a tax assessment of £121,600 ($162,100, €145,800 or درهم595,300) and is being marketed by agent Michael DeRosa as an “exciting opportunity for someone who loves restoring homes back to their original beauty.” On CNY Central, he commented: “It’s not so much the best price [we want]. It’s the buyer with the best plan to restore this and respect and preserve it… This went viral, and I wasn’t expecting the interest to come from all over the world.”
Of the unusual method of marketing they are using to sell the property, speaking to New York Upstate, the city’s mayor, Michael Quinn, added:
“This is the first time we’ve tried this approach where we’re putting valuable real estate back on the market. It would help our tax base considerably if we can do more with this.”
“Many people, including myself, have a special love for older buildings and the history of this particular home. We don’t want it to be an eyesore. We want it to be something the community can be proud.”
Potential buyers have until 5pm on Wednesday 18th December to submit their bids and are required to fill out a document detailing their “best plan for the property.” They would be advised, first, to check out the electrics.
London declared “more merry” than New York as it is revealed Christmas trees in the former can be had for sums 50,000% less than the latter in 2019
Aside from the American high society website Guest of a Guest – co-founded by that bad boy of tech Cameron Winkelvoss – last week declaring they’ve found “proof that London is far merrier than New York” this Christmas season, The Steeple Times can reveal today that a Christmas tree can cost 49,380% more (and no we didn’t make a mistake with the placing of that comma) in New York than one in the UK this year.
Whilst Poundland in Britain are selling real 6-foot firs for just £10 ($13, €12 or درهم48) and Home Bargains selling 7-foot ones for the same sum according to The Sun – which they reference as “tree-mendous value.. six feet of fir heaven” – yesterday, the realty news site 6sqft provided an example at the opposite end of the financial spectrum.
According to their report, Soho Trees, located near Canal Street in New York, are offering Fraser firs for upto £4,948 ($6,500, €5,871 or درهم23,871) each. The firm’s manager, Scott Lechner, told the New York Post: “We’re sold out.”
As Cindy Adams would say: “Only in New York, kids, only in New York.” Aretha Franklin would add: “Thy (better have) lovely branches.”
Pictured top: Poundland’s £10 trees are available at their larger stores and this year’s ‘Loubi Express’ Christmas tree in the lobby at Claridge’s in Mayfair.
‘Guest of a Guest’ suggested the rather vulgarly over-the-top Christmas 2019 decorations at the emporium of tat that is the Maddox Gallery and the member’s club for naff vulgarians that is Annabel’s provide indication of London winning in the “class” of Christmas wars this year.Meanwhile in Kensington, publicity obsessive chubby checker Tamara Ecclestone has yet again wasted money that could have perhaps instead been given to the homeless on yet another tacky display at her crib on Britain’s most expensive street.
Not so miserable looking medieval cottage rather unfortunately named ‘The Hovel’ on the quaintly named ‘Duck Lane’ for sale for virtually the same price as in 2005
Described as “the only agricultural ‘hovel’ in original condition in England” when it sold for £165,000 in 1997, a truly eccentric thatched house mentioned in the Domesday Book is again for sale for just slightly more than the plainly overly ambitious £375,000 it was offered for in 2005.
An exterior photo of The Hovel as it is now.
Grade II listed ‘The Hovel’ is situated on a non-through road in an idyllic Midsomer Murders-like village in Buckinghamshire named Ludgershall. It has maximum ceiling heights of 6’2” that are propped up by branches of oak and twisted twigs and other features number walls that “wave-in-and-out” made from “billowing plaster” and an original timber door.
Extending to a total of 426 square foot, the pint sized 2 bedroom detached cottage is Grade II listed. It comes with a 155 square foot summer house within its 0.23 acres of gardens and is approached by a path over a brook.
Bicester and its shopping village are approximately 7.5 miles away and agents Michael Graham now seek £400,000.
The Numbers – The Hovel, Duck Lane, Ludgershall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9XZ
November 2019 – Still for sale for £400,000 through Michael Graham ($526,000, €475,000 or درهم1.9 million).
May 2018 – For sale for £400,000 through Michael Graham ($526,000, €475,000 or درهم1.9 million) and featured in the Mail Online as a house “where England’s medieval farmers workers used to hang their hats.”
May 2017 – Listed for sale by Fine & Country for £400,000 ($526,000, €475,000 or درهم1.9 million).
July 2007 – Sold for £100,000 less for just £275,000 ($361,000, €327,000 or درهم1.3 million).
July 2005 – For sale through John D. Wood for £375,000 ($493,000, €446,000 or درهم1.8 million).
2002 – Sold for £250,000 ($329,000, €297,000 or درهم1.2 million).
1997 – Sold by John D. Wood for £165,000 ($217,000, €196,000 or درهم797,000).
Pictured top: An old image of ‘The Hovel’ – when, plainly, its gardens were in better order.
One bedroom, first floor flat in Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea for sale for less than the price of a 1992 Porsche 911
A 754 square foot apartment on the first floor of a red brick Victorian building in Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, SW3 has gone on sale for what seems like a bargain sum.
The reception room of the apartment on offer.The Porsche that is available for just slightly more.
Priced at just £175,000 ($230,000, €208,000 or درهم844,000) or £232 per square foot ($305, €276 or درهم1,119 per square foot), the catch with this property is its lease – which is extendable, but just 3 years and 6 months currently. It has a large south facing reception room with a ceiling height of 11’8” and French doors, a small kitchen, one bedroom and a bathroom.
Agents Russell Simpson seek best and final bids by 12 noon on the 12th December. They market the property as having “scope to remodel into a spacious two bedroom apartment.”
The preserve of dictators (including Saddam Hussein and Nicolae Ceaușescu) and personalities (amongst them Coco Chanel and Elizabeth Taylor), the ‘Grosser’ or ‘Grand Mercedes’ is a car that will turn heads wherever it goes.
Produced from 1963 until 1981, the left-hand drive example offered has just 16,007 miles on the clock and was restored in 2015. It was totally disassembled, stripped bare and fully repainted and now has fully refurbished woodwork, a new leather interior and a fully rebuilt engine, fuel and hydraulic system.
Of the 6.3-litre vehicle’s restoration in 2015 in Kildare, Ireland, Cardock Classics remark:
“Ideally all of our restored cars will be identical to the original artefact that came off the production line. We tend to avoid partial restoration work as this is not the ideal way to approach classic car ownership.”
Bonhams will offer the limousine at their 7th December sale at their New Bond Street showroom. They have set an estimate of £300,000 to £500,000 ($388,000 to $646,000, €352,000 to €586,000 or درهم1.4 million to درهم2.4 million).
