Saudi Retail Magnate Lists NYC Penthouse For $225 Million
Fawaz Al Hokair is planning to list the 96th floor condo for nearly twice what he paid for it in 2016.
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Saudi retail and real-estate magnate Fawaz Al Hokair is planning to list his penthouse at 432 Park Avenue—one of New York City’s most luxurious condominiums—for as much as US$170 million (A$225 million), according to three people familiar with the situation.
That price point is nearly twice what Mr. Al Hokair paid for the property in 2016. If it sells for close to that sum, the property would be among the most expensive ever sold in the country.
The news coincides with an overall uptick in the city’s luxury market, which was decimated by the Covid-19 crisis but has rebounded significantly. Two condos at nearby 220 Central Park South recently sold for a combined US$157.5 million in one of the priciest residential real-estate sales in the city.
Mr. Al Hokair’s apartment, which is on the building’s 96th floor, is over 8,000 square feet and has six bedrooms, according to an offering plan for the building filed with the New York Attorney General’s office. Marketing materials show a lavish home with panoramic views of the city and decked out in designer finishes. A chandelier hangs over a custom onyx dining room table, and a sculptural grand piano sits by the window. There is also a library. The property is dotted with accessories from designers like Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Bentley.
Real-estate agent Ryan Serhant of Serhant has been tapped to market the home. He declined to comment on the seller’s reasons for listing.
Developed by Macklowe Properties and CIM Group, 432 Park Avenue is one of the most notable additions to the New York skyline in recent years. Until recently the slimline tower was the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. (It was beaten out by Extell Development’s nearby Central Park Tower.)
Notable residents of 432 Park Avenue have included Jennifer Lopez and her ex-boyfriend, the former Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez.
The developers of the building have said that issues of leaks and elevator malfunctions at the building recently documented by the New York Times are being addressed.
Reprinted by permission of The Wall Street Journal, Copyright 2021 Dow Jones & Company. Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Original date of publication: June 28. 2021.
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There’s no shortage of design inspiration online but nothing beats the joy of spending an afternoon immersing yourself in a good interior design book. Edited, carefully curated and, above all, designed, these titles take you behind the scenes of some of the world’s most beautiful interiors in a considered way. Think of it like the difference between listening to a few tunes on Spotify versus releasing a thoughtfully crafted studio album. We’ve assembled our top six of interior design books on the market right now for your viewing and reading pleasure.
1. Interiors beyond the primary palette
Step inside the world of award-winning interior design duo Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke in this, their first compendium of their work. A ‘best of’ over more than 15 years working together, it’s a masterclass in working with colour and pattern as seen through 18 projects from around the country. With a focus on the idea of home as sanctuary, this hefty tome offers insight into the mind of the designer with points on where to find inspiration, meeting client briefs and the importance of relationships. Thames & Hudson, $120
2 House of Joy
If there was ever a book title for our times, then this is it. With a subtitle of Playful Homes and Cheerful Living, this book champions fun in interior design, with bold and bright homes from around the world to delight and inspire. While there’s a good dose of the unexpected, like a disco ball in the garden, there’s no mayhem in these spaces. Instead, they’re beautifully executed to tempt even the most colour shy. Gestalten, $105
3. Abigail Ahern Masterclass
Some design books are beautiful to look at, and that’s it. This is not one of those books. A master of colour and pattern, UK designer Ahern offers a practical foundational guide to beautiful interiors, mixing form with function in her latest book, Masterclass. Find the inspiration you need to create a gorgeous home. HarperCollins, $65
4. Interiors Now!
Looking for a visual crash course in international design trends with longevity? This is the book for you. Featuring homes across the globe, from New York to Auckland via Avignon, the biggest dilemma for readers is settling on a style. Many of the projects are owned by designers and creatives, lending a dynamic edge to this tome, now in its 40th year. Taschen, $50
5. Home by the Sea
For many Australians, the ocean holds an almost hypnotic appeal. Home by the Sea by Natalie Walton lets you imagine, for a little while at least, what it’s like living the dream in a beach shack in Byron Bay. The book tours 18 homes in and around the region and the hinterland owned by artists, designers and makers. With photography by Amelia Fullarton, it champions the good life. Hardie Grant, $60
6. The Layered Interior
Released last year, this is the third volume from award-winning interior designer Greg Natale. Different in format from his earlier books, the eight projects featured are Australian but with a slight Euro-centric focus. The writing is conversational, almost intimate, inviting the reader into the most luxurious spaces beautifully captured by photographer Anson Smart. This coffee table tome is perfect for dreamers and doers alike. Rizzoli, $110
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