THE mystery buyer of the penthouse apartment in Donald Trump’s World Tower condominium has turned out to be Turkish billionaire Cem Uzan.
He paid a record $38 million for the 17,000 square foot place on the top two floors of the flashy new building, located across from the United Nations.
That just beats the $37.5 million all-time-high apartment price shelled-out for Saul Steinberg’s 37-room triplex last March.
When he moves in, Uzan and his family will live directly over Bill Gates’ 8,500 square-foot pad on the floor below.
Producer Marty Richards and IBM Vice Chairman John Thompson will be on the floors below Gates’ place.
Never heard of Cem Uzan?
Neither had we.
After a little checking, we discovered that he is quite the player in his homeland and in the U.S. – with interests including construction, sports teams, telecommunications and television.
He also owns pricey condos at 515 Park Ave. – which is now for sale – and 100 United Nations Plaza.
According to W magazine’s Suzy column, Uzan and his wife, Alara, were recently spotted dining with no less than Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. In Uzan’s case, the term “jet set” truly applies; he owns a custom-fitted Boeing 747.
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Brace yourselves buyers, someone is now asking $25 million for an apartment on Third Avenue.
The three-level penthouse at the new Chatham condominium building, at Third & 65th Street, owns the new record asking price on that avenue by a large margin.
“It’s the new Avenue Heights,” chuckles broker Dolly Lenz, executive v.p. of Douglas Elliman, who has the exclusive listing.
The 8,000 square-foot triplex at the Chatham – with large terraces, 11-foot ceilings with wrap-around full length windows, winding staircases, fireplaces and 360-degree views – was originally on the drawing board for 11 bedrooms.
That hardly made sense for a young, wealthy couple with two kids who are now selling and moving to the West Coast.
Now the place has a six bedroom configuration.
Another wealthy young couple – the husband is the offspring of an entertainment dynasty – is said to be serious about the plunking down a deposit.
The 34-floor building, designed by Robert A.M. Stern, gained notoriety before construction commenced in fall 1999 when buyers began reselling their places to investors for twice the price.
The penthouse, on floors 32-34, was purchased for more than $14 million.
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The townhouse at 18 East 80th Street has found a buyer
The 11,626 square foot, six story townhouse is in contract and the last asking price was $8.9 million.
The seller, David Choo Yee Young, bought the place in August 1999 from investor Marshall Cogan.
The seller of the vintage mansion – which houses seven luxury apartments – has had it on the market since last September.
While the place has sat practically empty, it was transformed into a decorator show house last December.
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