Homebuyers searching for luxurious digs in Manhattan can choose to snap up the former home of John V. Bouvier III, the stockbroker father of the former First Lady Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.
The Park Avenue apartment housed the Bouvier family for six years. Many other notable business people have also called the airy four-bedroom, six-bathroom two-story duplex home, including fashion designer Vera Wang and financier David Koch.
All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
Although John and his wife Janet only resided in the home for six years, their family carries a much greater vested interest in the property. James Lee Bouvier, John’s father, developed the building in 1930, presiding over the opulent property just as the Great Depression hit. Its fabulous views might have gone un-enjoyed if not for the hard-scrabble creativity of the country’s new rich — those who made their fortunes re-building the country when the stock market took its historic plunge.
The apartment comes with a unique requirement for residents. They must prove a liquid net worth of $100 million before taking residence. For that reason, the Rosario Candela designed twelve-room duplex requires more than just the asking price of $29.5 million.
For the investment, you obtain an unmatched address with the roominess of a house in the country or a Long Island estate, but the access to Manhattan, which comes from stepping outside your front door to Park Avenue. The apartment’s second floor features the master bedroom suite, which includes two of everything.
It branches off to two bathrooms, two home offices, and two dressing rooms. The apartment offers the ideal set up for a power couple like its most recent residents, financier David Ganek and author Danielle Ganek. The couple resides in the woody white and cream interiors with their three children and three dogs.
Although its residents have added art and occasional pieces here and there, much of Candela’s original work remains including the original paneling. The library’s built-in bookcases provide ample space for the avid reader’s collection and any film buff’s DVDs. Of course, the latter might better reside in the media room.
Designed for family life, the home also offers a cavernous formal dining room and living room to accommodate entertaining. The chef’s kitchen provides the ideal environment for staff to prepare for dinner parties. The apartment also provides staff quarters to accommodate a live-in au pair, chef, etc.
Residents and guests enjoy an auspicious entry — a marble entrance gallery. The curved stairs leading to the master bedroom suite also provide a dramatic entry to the heart of the home. The homey space features multiple fireplaces, and each outer room allows natural light via walls of windows.
Represented by Douglas Elliman and Sotheby’s International Realty, the Bouvier Apartment continues to serve as an ideal family home in the heart of Manhattan. Contact either realtor for a tour.
Source: streeteasy.com
