World’s richest person Jeff Bezos spends $A114 million on three adjoining New York apartments

Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest person, has spent $A114 million on three adjoining New York apartments covering the top four floors of a 1912 Gothic building opposite Madison Square Park.

Expected to be his family home, the Amazon founder, worth about $A150 billion post a recent divorce, owns properties in at least five other United States locations.

The businessman’s latest acquisition at 212 Fifth Avenue was made in two parts.

In May, Mr Bezos paid a speculated $A40 million for two sub-penthouses, 21A and 21B, within the 24-level former commercial building which was refurbished as apartments in 2016.

Today it is reported he purchased the building’s three-storey penthouse for more than $A70 million.

Marketed as “an opportunity of a lifetime”, this dwelling alone spreads an internal area of more than 930 square metres and offers about 530 sqm of outdoor terracing.

The penthouse occupies the top three floors of 212 Fifth Avenue.

A marble entrance foyer, five bedrooms, ballroom, library, a top floor observatory and “a dramatic atrium” with a “breathtaking bronze staircase” as its centrepiece, are other features of the dwelling, which captures views of the Empire State Building, Flatiron Building and World Trade Centre.

The penthouse was first listed in 2016 asking $A98 million before being increased to $A106 million in 2017, then discounted to $A90 million, then $A83 million.

The building offers a resident-only fitness room, golf simulator and children’s playroom.

This bronze staircase is the atrium centrepiece, according to the penthouse marketing agent.

The Wall Street Journal, with this item, appears to be the first media outlet to be reporting about Mr Bezos’ multi-level apartment acquisition.

Mr Bezos has been looking at $A70 million-plus New York condos all year. In April, it was reported he inspected a full-floor apartment at 220 Fifth Avenue (it was in this Robert A.M Stern designed tower where in January, hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin paid $A340 million for an apartment – the most valuable residential deal ever struck in the United States).

Amazon was created 25 years ago in a garage in Seattle – the city where it is still headquartered.

Four months ago, Amazon cancelled plans to create a second American headquarters, in New York’s Long Island.

The three-level penthouse has an internal area of more than 930 square metres. Mr Bezos also acquired two apartments below this one.

In Washington State, Mr Bezos owns a large estate in Medina, a suburb also home to Bill Gates.

In Washington DC’s Kalorama – home to the Obamas and Ivanka Trump, he retains a dwelling built into a former textiles factory which, like 212 Fifth Avenue, was built in 1912.

The billionaire also owns adjoining mansions in Beverly Hills, California and a 12,400 hectare ranch in Van Horn, Texas.

Mr Bezos is reported to control other residential real estate in New York City, too, including three condos overlooking Central Park which he acquired from music producer Tommy Mottola in 1998.

A Google Street View image of 212 Fifth Avenue, New York.

Mr Mottola had just separated from Mariah Carey when he sold the dwellings at 25 Central Park West for $A11 million. In 2012, Mr Bezos bought another unit in this complex for $A7.6 million.

Two months ago, Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Bezos announced on Twitter that they finalised their amicable divorce.

Ms Bezos is reported to have walked away with about $A51 billion following the split.

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.