15 Central Park West took three years and around $1 billion to construct, including the land. It was an immediate success, ringing up some $2 billion in sales. Even today, the building continues to break real estate sales records.
Unlike many of today's glassy towers, 15 CPW architect Robert A.M Stern was inspired by the great New York apartments of the 1920s. The building has two sections with 201 units total, as well as a formal driveway.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Other amenities include a library, private restaurant, three-lane lap pool, and health club with private massage rooms and a yoga area.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
The facade of the building is completely covered in limestone, which cost millions of dollars more than brick. The lobby is also opulent, with English oak panels, fluted marble columns, and two fireplaces. There's even a waiting room for chauffeurs.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
It's only been open for five years, but the list of well-known people who have lived or currently live at 15 CPW is astounding. Let's start with the finance folks.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb bought an 8-bedroom, 10,700-square-foot penthouse condo, paying a record-breaking $45 million back in 2005 when the building was still a hole in the ground.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein was also an early buyer. He paid $25.7 million in cash for his corner duplex back in 2006.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Former Citigroup CEO Sandy Weill bought a full-floor penthouse in the front section of 15 CPW. He paid $43.7 million for the place in 2007, then a record price per-square-foot, and surprised his wife with it on Valentine's Day.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
But that was nothing compared to the $88 million Weill made when he sold it to the 22-year-old daughter of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. She reportedly barely uses it.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
More than half a dozen Goldman Sachs execs have owned apartments at 15 CPW at some point; no surprise, since the bank helped finance the building. "Goldman Sachs executives didn't need to make phone calls or write letters to make its building desirable," Gross wrote of the so-called Goldman Effect. "The mere fact that Goldman people were buying en masse made it so."
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Hedge fund founder Daniel Och was another early buyer, picking up the top floor of the 43-story tower — a simplex listed at $41.25 million. He held a birthday party in the apartment before it was finished, setting up a stage on the terrace where the band Five for Fighting performed.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Israeli scientist Shlomo Ben-Haim sold his 40th floor penthouse to a mysterious buyer for $37 million in 2012; it was later revealed to be Bob Diamond, then CEO of Barclays Capital.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
The building's amenities and private nature are also a major draw for celebrities. Denzel Washington paid just over $13 million for his 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom apartment back in 2006.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Sting bought the $26.5 million condo right next to Lloyd Blankfein's in 2008.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon and his wife paid $9.67 million for a condo back in 2007. The couple sold it last year for $25 million, somewhat less than its $30 million asking price.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Slugger Alex Rodriguez rented a $30,000-a-month apartment there in 2010. He was "the best tenant," one broker told Gross, though building staff griped about his womanizing.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Actors Kelsey Grammer and Mark Wahlberg have also called the building home for brief periods. "Security is tight—and for good reason," Gross writes. "Members of the staff believe that terrorists, have threatened, if not targeted, the building."
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Techies are also represented at 15 CPW. Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang dropped a little more than $20 million for a condo in the "house" section of the complex.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Senior Google exec Omid Kordestani lives on the same floor as Lloyd Blankfein and musician Sting. He bought his apartment in March 2008 for $29.5 million.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Representing the media world, Wine Spectator publisher Martin Shanken was another early buyer. He paid $19.75 million for his half-floor penthouse.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Sportscaster Bob Costas bought his $11 million pad in 2007; he and wife Jill moved in from the Time Warner Center a few blocks away.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
The real estate world has a presence in the building as well. Both Zeckendorf brothers, who developed the building, bought apartments there. They each paid $11.5 million, discounts of $3.5 million over the initial listing prices. Will later sold his for $40 million.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Co-developers Eyal and Idan Ofer also bought into the property. Eyal wound up with a penthouse featuring a "King of the World" terrace that was listed for $26 million, and Idan got a $4 million discount on his $30 million pad, according to Gross.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Marquis Jets founder Jesse Itzler and his wife, Spanx inventor Sara Blakely, own two condos, which together cost $14.7 million. Blakely has a fear of heights, and the couple reportedly hired a former Navy SEAL to suggest emergency escape plans from their 37th floor apartment, Gross writes.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Photos are listing and public photos of 15 Central Park West; not actual apartments.
Steel manufacturer Leroy Schecter bought two units on the 35th floor and combined them in 2012. He soon listed the mega-pad for $95 million, and it has bounced on and off the sales and rental markets ever since.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
Other major executives who bought into 15 CPW include TV producer Norman Lear, who paid $10.2 million for his pad, Limited founder Leslie Wexner, who spent $13.34 million on his, and Alan Horn, then president of Warner Bros., who paid $9.7 million.
Source: "House of Outrageous Fortune" by Michael Gross
