Most of Manhattan’s luxurious residential buildings provide a capable doorman or a security guard. But a recently listed $48.5 million triplex apartment in the Heritage at Trump Place curiously ups the ante for even the most paranoid of home seekers—it’s doomsday-proof with three bullet-proof “panic rooms.” Hey, you never know.
Though the 10,500-square-foot home is currently owned by Saudi royal Prince Nawaf bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, it’s hard to imagine why anyone would require that much protection. Besides, if you’re dropping nearly $50 million on a part-time New York pad, why not simply hire Jack Bauer as a bodyguard. Problem solved.
The opulent four-bedroom, four-bathroom, and six half-bathroom triplex offers much more than security. It also presents all the princely high-life necessities—namely outdoor terraces; lounges; a sushi island bar; ventilated cigar room; billiards room; massage, steam, and treatment rooms; hair salon; built-in saltwater aquariums; a six-person Jacuzzi; and a 60-foot living room overlooking the Hudson River. On the opposite end of the living room, a dining room large enough for a 16-person table looks over Riverside Park. A pantry/catering kitchen on this floor allows for seamless entertaining. The home also features an extra-large, windowed chef's kitchen with Bardiglio Nuvolato Marble countertops and oak wood paneling is also on this level.
The 6A residence, occupying the fifth, sixth and seventh floors of the 31-story building at 240 Riverside Boulevard, was customized from six—count ‘em six!—smaller condo units. What the prince wants, the prince gets. Which leads us back to the panic rooms. Not since Jodie Foster’s 2002 film or since 9/11 has a panic room seemed necessary. And after 9/11, Saudi princes were quickly whisked out of the U.S. for their own protection.
Panic rooms would have better served notoriously scandalous locals like former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who dodged paparazzi, Bernie Madoff, who dodged creditors, or John Gotti, who dodged law enforcement authorities. We thought panic rooms were the stuff of movie legend—until now.
If that’s not enough, the Saudi prince’s apartment is move-in ready—it may be sold completely furnished. Contemporary interiors are bold, masculine, and naturally rich, including lots of Calcutta marble (as well as other pricey black or striped marble) on ceilings, walls, and floors; a polished teakwood bar; elaborate chandeliers; modern fireplaces; picturesque, panoramic windows; stained oak stairs; and other intrepid décor reminiscent of a Rockefeller Center lobby (which, like it or not, makes an intense statement).
On the seventh floor, the river facing master bedroom suite is comprised of a sitting room with ethanol fireplace, sleeping chamber, Calacatta Gold wrapped spa bath and steam shower, grooming room, and dual powder rooms.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the home is selling for $4,600 per square foot, exceedingly high for the Upper West Side and more consistent with condo units on “Billionaire’s Row,” a section along 57th street, where sales are shattering previous records. Listing agents for the Saudi prince’s pad are Ryan Serhant, Brian Chan of Nest Seekers International, and Douglas Elliman’s Raphael De Niro (yes, Raging Bull's son).
Now, it appears the prince is unloading his luxurious New York nest because he rarely uses it, says the Journal. A nearly $50 million apartment in Manhattan that’s unused. Now that news is worthy of a panic.