Legal alien in NY drops flat price

HAVING to knock 10% off the asking price would be a problem for most home sellers.

But that clearly didn’t bother Sting, who has just sold his New York apartment overlooking Central Park for £4.5 million (R80.3m) less than he was hoping for.

The musician, 66, and his wife, Trudie Styler, put the lavish duplex on the market in May for £42.5m but have now sold it for £38m.

The sum is almost £20m more than they paid for it in 2008. The apartment takes up the 16th and 17th floors of the 15 Central Park West building, often described as one of the “world’s most powerful addresses”.

Past famous residents of the property include Denzel Washington, Robert De Niro and Alex Rodriguez. It boasts 501m² of living space which is set over two floors with three bedrooms, a sauna and steam room, a 121m terrace with outdoor heating and canopy shade and a kitchen with four ovens. Residents also have the use of a library, screening room, wine cellar, gym and private-club-style restaurant dining rooms. Estate agent pictures reveal fur throws in the couple’s master bedroom, two en-suite bathrooms and dressing rooms and a jaw-dropping view of the Manhattan skyline.

The couple aren’t likely to be too disheartened at having to accept the lower offer however, as they bought the property for £20.5m in 2008. They are believed to be remaining in the area, just moving nearby to a triplex at 220 Central Park. – Daily Mail

Sting