Just because they're practically the most recognizable New Yorkers on television doesn't mean that the actors who play characters on "Law & Order" don't have real world real estate triumphs and troubles. Most recently, actress S. Epatha Merkerson, who played Lt. Anita Van Buren on the original "Law & Order" series for a decade, is suing the management company of her co-op building, calling her apartment a "death trap." Not everyone's home is a crime scene in the making, although Mariska Hargitay (Det. Olivia Benton) did seem to make a killing when purchasing a townhouse after it was pricechopped from $12.5 million to $10.7 million.
As mentioned above, Merkerson tops the list of real estate experiences that blur the line between real life and a real estate crime drama spin-off.
S.Epatha Merkerson (Lt. Anita Van Buren)
Precinct: 790 Riverside Drive at 157th Street, Manhattan
Loot: $1.7 million, seeking $2.0 million in a lawsuit
Just the facts: Merkerson claims that her co-op at The Riviera was a death trap. In addition to property-damaging leaks, the Lieutenant alleges that ventilation to her stove and exhaust fan was sealed off, endangering her life.
Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler)
Precinct: 88 Greenwich Street
Loot: $857K
Just the facts: Meloni may want to take some advice from his former on-screen partner Mariska Hargitay on how to stay on the right side of the pricechopper. While he benefitted from a falling price when purchasing a 1BR at the Greenwich Club, further declines cost him as he had to list the apartment for a $35,000 loss last year. He eventually bit the bullet and sold the place for $850K—costing him $60,000.
B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang)
Precinct: East 4th Street and Lafayette in Noho
Loot: $1.25M
Just the facts: A self-described serial horder, B.D. Wong bought and renovated this Noho loft with the help of architect Jack Wettling. Various organizational fixtures keep Wong's home clean.
Richard Belzer (Det. John Munch)
Precinct: 60 Riverside Drive
Loot: $2.9 million
Just the facts: Richard Belzer was either laying bait to catch a thief or felt like he was getting robbed as he pricechopped his potential 4BR/3.5BA from $3.2 million to $2.9 million. Belzer doesn't always get his man, however. The apartment's been taken off the market.
Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler)
Precinct: 230 West 56th Street
Loot: $12 million + a Porsche
Just the facts: "This Porsche isn't stolen officer. It was a gift from Det. Stabler." When Meloni ran into trouble selling his 3BR, 60th floor apartment at the Park Imperial, he decided to throw in a free Porsche Panamera to sweeten the pot. Almost monthly pricechops recently have reduced the asking price to $9.95M.
Mariska Hargitay (Det. Oliva Benton)
Precinct: 45 West 84th Street
Loot: $10.7 million
Just the facts: Hargitay looks like a cop on the take when she scored big with the purchase of an entire townhouse on the Upper West Side this year for $10.7 million. The buy was also a steal, having been pricechopped earlier from an ask of $12.5 million.
· L&O Star Claims Her Co-op Could Have Killed Her [DNAinfo]
· Law & Order [Curbed]
Loading comments...