Bernie Madoff’s Infamous Upper East Side Penthouse Sells for $14.5M
The duplex penthouse at 133 East 64th Street on the Upper East Side, where Bernie Madoff notoriously was arrested by the feds and lived under house arrest, has just sold to Lawrence Benenson of Benenson Capital Partners for $14.5 million.
Madoff had lived in the home since 1984, but after the government seized it in 2008, it was picked up by toy mogul Alfred Kahn and his wife Patsy in 2010 for $8 million. Apparently, Mr. Kahn was superstitious of the “Madoff curse,” but Patsy fell in love with the unit’s terrace. They reportedly put the penthouse back on the market in August 2013 for $17.25 million, but reduced the price several times as well as filed for divorce.
When entering the three-bedroom home, an oval-shaped entry foyer begins the elegance with handcrafted millwork, coffered ceilings, and crown moldings. It then opens to a custom, double-height staircase. The spacious, perfect-for-entertaining living and dining rooms boast huge palladium windows that look out onto the sprawling terrace with triple exposures and dramatic views. Other details include original French doors, herringbone hardwood floors, and custom-designed light fixtures.
The eat-it kitchen is accessed through the breakfast solarium. It includes stainless steel appliances, an EmberGLO Char-broiler, and an American Range cooktop with griddle. Downstairs, the cozy library comes complete with a crackling wood burning fireplace, set against mahogany paneled walls and millwork. The master bedroom also has a wood burning fireplace, as well as a silver leaf ceiling, large walk-in closets, and a five-fixture en-suite marble bathroom.
The Benenson family manages 150 properties in the city, but we’re pretty sure this is the first “Ponzi penthouse,” as it’s been called, that they’ve added to their roster.
[Listing: 133 East 64th Street, PHA by Dolly Lenz of Douglas Elliman]
[Via New York Post]
Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman
