The above 21-room co-op belongs to none other than singer-turned-activist Harry Belafonte, and it's on the market for $11.75 million. Michael Calderone delves into the apartment's history in this week's Manhattan Transfers, repeating the oft-told tale that Belafonte and others bought the West End Avenue building and turned it co-op in the early '60s in response to the landlord not permitting black residents. In more recent times, the six-bedroom, six-bathroom megaspace was originally listed for $15 million, before getting chopped down to $13 million at the end of 2005. Zero takers and a brokerage switch later, the apartment sits at its current asking price.
The full-floor spread measures 7,200 square feet and has four functional fireplaces, the results of combining two units decades ago. Said Belafonte, “I made a small breakthrough, bringing the A and the B side into one sweep. Not only did we entertain a lot, but it gave us the opportunity to have one side of the apartment for the family. The other side was for guests and parties.” A home and nightclub in one package? Now there's a way to keep Tara Reid out of trouble.
· Harry Belafonte 'Pares Down' on W.E.A. [Manhattan Transfers]
· Listing: 300 West End Avenue [Corcoran]
Filed under: