George and Amal Clooney’s supposed illegal Soho rental hits the market for $16M

In April, sources said that George and Amal Clooney were renting a duplex apartment at 116 Sullivan Street. They also said that the owner of the 19th-century Soho townhouse, Richard Fertig, converted this apartment into an “illegal hotel” for “transient use.” Likely in light of the city’s new Airbnb law that requires the company to disclose the names and addresses of hosts, Fertig has listed the entire six-story home for $16 million.

The upper unit

George and Amal aren’t the first celeb couple to shack up in the home; apparently, in March, the Department of Buildings showed up to investigate the apartment while John Legend and Chrissy Teigen were staying there (they quickly packed up). It’s likely that neither couple knew of the issues. Mayoral spokesperson Patrick Gallahue had said, “In many cases, guests are also victims of fraudulent marketing and are being illegally rented units that are not set up for short-term stays, which is potentially dangerous.”

Fertig, a self described “serial entrepreneur,” bought the house in 2007. He can be seen in a YouTube video referring to himself as an “Airbnb super host” who rents out six luxury properties. The problem here arises from the fact that it’s illegal for owners to list properties for less than 30 days, considered a short-term rental, unless they live in the building. This is to crack down on illegal hotels. Speculation says that he spends most of his time at his Hamptons home.

The basement apartment

The home is currently configured as a basement and garden-level duplex (the notorious unit) and another four-floor unit. They’re also listed together as a $53,000/month rental or separately for $8,000 and $45,000.

Whatever Fertig’s reason are for listing the residence, it certainly is lovely. Built in 1832 and landmarked in the 1970s, it has 7,5000 square feet of interior space with an additional 2,100 square feet of outdoor space, which includes a multi-level garden and roof deck. It has automated shades, walnut floors, three fireplaces, and Passive House features.

[Listing: 116 Sullivan Street by David Kornmeier and Nicole Palermo of Brown Harris Stevens]

Listing images courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens