When Lewis Hamilton, the top Formula One race car driver in the world, bought the Manhattan triplex penthouse in early 2017, for $44 million, he caught a classic case of Real Estate Fickle as soon as he bought it. Hamilton’s annual earnings are estimated at close to $50 million.
Having won the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last week, the 36-year-old British driver will start Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend as the odds-on favorite. He never even moved into the 8,900-square-foot Tribeca apartment before buying another insanely expensive penthouse just a block away and selling the unwanted triplex for $57 million just over two years ago.
Richie Rich, who was looking for the highest price ever paid for a downtown condo this year, came along and bought the six-bedroom, six-bathroom spread for $49.5 million. An LLC with a Seattle address conceals the buyer’s identity, as noted by the New York Post, and there is plenty of unsubstantiated speculation that the new owner is a big tech titan like Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos. (If you know!)
Featuring exposed wood support beams and a 20-foot ceiling, the corner living room boasts a double-height ceiling and an elevator directly enters the foyer and separate elevator services the penthouse’s three floors. The separate kitchen has a huge island with two dishwashers and all the culinary bells and whistles that $50 million can buy.
A primary suite, consisting of a private study, a morning bar, and a walk-in closet, is located on the second level, along with three or four guest bedrooms. A den off the main living room has a bath attached to it, so it can easily be converted into a sixth bedroom. The main bedroom’s clean-lined bathroom is lavish despite having no windows.
There is a spacious lounge on the top floor, with a wet bar and a powder room. Through accordion-fold glass doors, the lounge spills out onto two large terraces with sweeping views of the city and river. Marketing materials indicate there’s a plunge pool, though it’s unclear if it’s been installed, and the unit transfers with two deeded parking spaces in the secured, on-site garage.
Hamilton and the buyer were represented by Compass Realtors’ Nick Gavin. Had the mystery buyer taken out a standard mortgage, the monthly costs for the penthouse would have exceeded a quarter million dollars per month (mortgage, taxes, and building fees).
The handsome, low-rise red-brick building was once a book-binding factory but has become a favorite of high-profile people seeking privacy from the public or paparazzi. An enclosed motor court allows them to come and go without being noticed by the public or snapped by the paparazzi. As well as the courtyard garden, the gym, and the spectacular indoor swimming pool, the building has an enclosed motor court. Mike Myers, Rebel Wilson, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Meg Ryan, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Harry Styles are among the celebrities who own (or have owned) units in the building.
Formula One star’s other Tribeca penthouse was purchased in late 2018 for just over $40.7 million, and online records indicate that it has four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms and sprawls across more than 6,500 square feet. Aside from his Monaco home, Lewis is also reported to maintain homes in Geneva and London.
