Ukrainian Billionaire Says He Might Not Sell UES Versailles

Alexander Rovt, the real estatel-loving Ukrainian billionaire who made his fortunes on fertilizer, chatted with the Real Deal, filling them in on a few of his new investments, including the possible Ace Hotel in Downtown Brooklyn, but that's not what is interesting. Rovt also shared his thoughts on his wildly opulent Upper East Side Versailles-inspired mansion at 232 East 63rd Street. Apparently, he's "being patient" while waiting for a buyer. He fist listed it in 2011 for $27 million. "Maybe I will sell it, but it's so well made," he told the Real Deal. "I didn't build it for sale, I built it for myself." He did indeed, but even though he spent $18 million on a renovation, he has never lived here. It's currently on the market for $21.5 million, and evidently, the Rolls Royce is still part of the deal.

Because this how is so totally bananas, let's take this opportunity to rehash what's inside. It has lots of gold leafing; ornate hand-carved moldings, doors, and banisters; a stained-glass dining room; Brazilian cherry herringbone floors; a billiards room with walls lined with hand-painted silk; a terrace on every floor, plus a rooftop deck and garden; and a basement spa with a pool and hot tub, all lined in hand-glazed glass tiles. Plus, it's wired with a high-tech security system of hidden cameras and bullet-proof gates that cover the windows.

· Alexander Rovt planning to build two NYC hotels [TRD]
· Upper East Side's Absurd Versailles Mansion Now Just $21.5M [Curbed]
· All 232 East 63rd Street coverage [Curbed]