Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp., is reportedly under contract to purchase the 57th floor - as well as the three-floor penthouse above it - in the One Madison building in Manhattan for $57.3 million.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the deal will close next week, with the media mogul snagging a $9 million discount as the 57th floor unit was marketed for $16.5 million and the penthouse for $50 million. Murdoch purchased the place in raw condition, allowing him to give it his own finishing touches.
The purchase comes just months after the divorce of Murdoch and his wife Wendy Deng Murdoch, who is retaining their Fifth Avenue penthouse as per the divorce deal.
Murdoch's latest property splurge has been described as a "residential masterpiece" by the builders. The triplex penthouse offers about 7,000 square feet of living space with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city's skyline. The unit below the penthouse is a three-bedroom apartment.
Once the deal closes, Murdoch will own the 57th-60th floor, and while the penthouse is separate from the floor below it, they can be easily combined, according to Leslie Wilson, director of sales at One Madison. A private elevator will connect all the floors.
The 58th floor includes a large wraparound terrace, a corner library, a formal dining area, a great room with access to the terrace and an eat-in kitchen with a giant mid-rise island.
The 59th floor, meanwhile, is comprised of a guest bedroom with an attached bath, a media room, a maid's room with an en-suite bath and a laundry room.
A master bedroom with huge walk-in closets is located on the 60th floor, along with a master bath complete with a soaking tub, double vanity and steam shower. Two more bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms are also located on this floor.
Check out some renderings and floor plans of the residence here.
Overlooking Madison Square Park, the building is a brand new structure added to the city's skyline. Residents of One Madison will receive exclusive special services by trained staff as well as access to amenities such as a screening room, a parlor, a dining area, a spa, a yoga room, a fitness center and a children's playroom, among other things.
The price Murdoch paid for the place represents a record amount ever paid for a residence located below 57th St. This is the third time Murdoch is setting a bar with a property deal, having sold his Prince St. triplex for $25 million in 2005, reports New York Daily News.
In May 2013, Murdoch announced via Twitter that he purchased a vineyard estate in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles, although he didn't disclose the price. Murdoch also owns a home in Beverly Hills that Leonardo DiCaprio once toured when he was on the hunt for a place for himself.
