The Jewel in New York’s Crown Building Fetches Record-Setting $74 Million

A lavish condo on the 20th floor of New York City’s historic Crown Building has scored a to-date record price for 2022, $74.34 million. Built in 1921, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, the fanciful Crown Building was the original home of the Museum of Modern Art. It was once owned by kleptocrat former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos and his shoe-fanatic first lady Imelda Marcos, and is easily recognized by its gold-accented green copper pinnacle.

The sale of the Jala Penthouse, as it’s known, was brokered by Douglas Elliman’s Patricia Vance, who brought the as-yet unidentified buyer, and Amie Buchanan, Global Director of Residences, Aman. The buyer, Albatross Apartment LLC, is tied through public records to Zedra Trust Company, a Swiss money manager.

The spectacular apartment is one of just 22 ultra-luxury residences in the new Aman New York. The boutique development is operated by the Aman hospitality group, possibly the most prestigious hotel group in the world, and will also include a hotel on the building’s lower levels. (The 83-room hotel is notable for every room and suite having a working fireplace, something no other New York City hotel can boast.)

Interiors have been designed by architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston to pay homage to the Crown Building’s striking architecture. All units include integrated security and telecommunications systems, up to three fireplaces, and Gaggenau kitchen appliances, while the apartment itself features copious closets, as well as a private elevator lobby and a high-ceilinged gallery perfect for showing off a prized art collection.

With four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two half-baths, the 6,791-square foot spread is unquestionably spacious, especially for Manhattan. Nonetheless, the condo’s most astonishing feature is definitely the 49-foot-long saltwater swimming pool on its huge terrace.

The apartment includes fabulous views of Central Park and, in addition to the private pool, there’s a cabana and a powder room on the terrace, as well as space for dining, and a large hot tub. Not enough space to lallygag outside? The primary suite boasts its own private terrace, with its own city-view hot tub, along with two walk-in closets and a bathroom replete with radiant-heated floor, soaking tub, and steam shower.

Building amenities, of course, are next level. They include: 24/7 concierge service; a 14th-floor lounge with a piano bar and wraparound terrace; a private members club and cigar lounge; several restaurants; a three-floor spa with hydro massage facilities, a Russian Banya and a Moroccan Hammam; on-site therapists, trainers, and wellness specialists; a 67-foot indoor pool; a wine library; and a subterranean jazz club. Fortunately, there’s also a wellness lounge and juice bar, for detoxing from the cigar lounge and wine library.

While this transaction blows them out of the water, other recent sales in the building are also stratospheric. A $29 million unit was snapped up by a domestic buyer for use as a pied-à-terre, and another floor-through unit traded last December to an anonymous buyer at $55 million.