Built in 1930 to 1931 to the designs of the Hungarian-Jewish architect Emery Roth (1871 – 1948), 50 Central Park South – a building formerly known as the St. Moritz Hotel – has been variously owned by Harry Helmsley, Donald Trump, Alan Bond and Ian Schrager. In 2002, as part of a remodelling, the building reopened as The Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park and now one of the ten apartments that subsequently were created in the upper part of the building is again for sale.
Occupying the 34th and 35th floors, a “horseshoe-shaped” unit described as ‘Penthouse 34/35’ totals 6,405 square foot including roof terraces. It was first configured as a 4 bedroom and 4.5-bathroom unit, but was reconfigured after being purchased by the Harvard educated founder of Gamechange Solar and CEO of Barron Group Holdings, Andrew Barron Worden, in 2006 into a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom property with a 40-foot long ‘great room’ that has been used for “very, very frequent entertaining” and a 49-foot ‘solarium’ above.
Worden, described as “a ballroom dancer – Argentine tango, to be precise” in an article in The New York Times in August 2012, supposedly spent £5.7 million transforming the space and then tried to sell it for the very ambitious sum of £77 million that year. He did not succeed and again placed it on the market for £39.7 million last August.
Two stories to keep beside you
Manhattan’s Cheapest Penthouse
An opportunity to live amongst New York’s elite on a budget Last week, New York real estate blog 6sqft featured Manhattan’s cheapest penthouse. It’s surprisingly for sale for just £154,000 ($190,000, €180,000 or درهم698,000) and it is situated at 103 East 84th Street. Aside from being within, as you’d expect, a “full service […]
Problems at The Plaza
New York apartment for sale for a sum 21% lower than the current owner paid for it in 2008; it has a controversial past, links to a dictator and was once ‘sold’ for just $1 One of 164 units in 1 Central Park South – better known as The Plaza Hotel – in New […]
Other owners of the ‘residences’ at 50 Central Park South have variously included the hedge fund tycoon Scott Bommer, the financier Howard Marks and the casino mogul Steve Wynn.
Agents Christie’s International Real Estate are currently marketing the “fully soundproofed” penthouse and describe it as an “heirloom unit” that could be “easily converted back as per the approved architectural plans.”
The Numbers – Penthouse 34/35, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, 50 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019, United States of America
August 2019 – Relisted for sale through Christie’s International Real Estate for £39.7 million ($49 million, €45.4 million or درهم180 million).
August 2012 – Listed for sale for £77 million ($95 million, €88.1 million or درهم349 million) by Dianne Weston of Halstead Property. At the time, she claimed the owner “understands the metrics of the market.”
“Late 2000s” – Supposedly underwent a “renovation” costing £5.7 million ($7 million, €6.5 million or درهم25.7 million). Of this, The New York Times remarked: “[The apartment was subject to a] complete renovation, designed by the architectural firm Gustavson/Dundes, which gave the space a very contemporary look, including a sleek steel and glass staircase with treads that can be lighted from below.”
2006 – Sold to Andrew Barron Worden for £16.2 million ($19.95 million, €18.5 million or درهم73.4 million).
Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes
Instagram: @TheSteepleTimes
Twitter: @SteepleTimes
Readers have their say
2 comments
Hideous decoration scheme – moray likely the new owner will go for Kelly Hoppen as a counterpoint
What a dump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Send in the wrecking ball ——- Donald Trump wanted to clad the place in glass!!!!!!!!!! Would have looked MUCH better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not worth 5 cents!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Destroy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!