Richard and Lisa Perry. (Patrick McMullan)
The hedge fund titan Richard Perry and his wife Lisa reportedly hit a few bumps during their initial interviews with the co-op board at the comically-exclusive 1 Sutton Place South when they were buying the Annenberg penthouse back in 2000. (One broker told us that the board “were total bastards.” Yikes!) There has since been grumbling from at least one neighbor less than fond of the large, Jeff Koons-designed metallic-green diamond that the art-collecting couple kept on the terrace. But by the time the gem arrived, of course, the window for tough questions about prospective co-op residents’ aesthetic tastes had closed (the couple ultimately paid some $11 million for the privilege of listing One Sutton as their address), and the Perrys would not have been subjected to any further unpleasant grilling, either, when they were angling to buy a three-bedroom spread one floor down from their current place, a feat they’ve just accomplished for $7.6 million, according to city records.
Still, one broker emphasized, even if the buyers already lived in the building, “they would still have to provide up to date financials to the board so that they know they’re still financially qualified to meet their monthly obligations.” But given that Forbes estimated Mr. Perry’s holdings at $1.2 billion as recently as 2008, we doubt that board members tossed and turned wondering whether he could handle the $10,656 monthly maintenance.
The unit features an impressive entry gallery outfitted with checkerboard tile that leads onto a massive corner living room with 11-foot ceilings and oversized picture windows, providing “abundant sunlight and sweeping East River views,” according to the listing shared by Martha Kramer and Mary Rutherfurd at Brown Harris Stevens. There is a formal dining room with rich herringbone flooring and even the kitchen enjoys waterfront vistas. But, one broker mused, “They’re not showing the kitchen, which probably means it needs some work. Then again, if they’re going to combine their two units, they might not need to redo the kitchen at all.”
Welcome, welcome.
It’s hard to imagine that the Perrys feel constricted in their current digs, what with the twin drawing rooms sporting ceilings 40 feet high, the four bedrooms, five(!!) maids’ rooms and 6,000 square-foot wraparound terrace. “Maybe they’re going to use it for staff,” the broker suggested.
Could Mr. and Ms. Perry have need of more than five staff rooms? It’s tough to say. But their new 12th-floor apartment is the former home of Georgia Hatch Bemberg, who was married to Rheingold Brewery chairman Edward Bemberg. Rheingold, of course, was the workingman’s brewski long before hipsters co-opted PBR. And it would seem somehow appropriate to turn over the spoils Mr. Bemberg’s brewing to the working class. Then again, perhaps the Perry are just planning on acquiring a couple of balloon animals.
Do stay awhile.
