King Charles III recently made headlines by purportedly purchasing a luxury condo on Billionaires’ Row in Manhattan. The deed for the purchase was made out to “His Majesty the King in Right of Canada.”
Officially, the $6.6 million, 3,600-square-foot apartment, located in New York’s newest luxury super tall and super skinny Steinway Tower, located at 111 West 57th Street, will serve as the official residence for the Consulate General of Canada in New York. The condo features three bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and a range of luxurious amenities, including a swimming pool, fitness center, and private dining room.
Unofficially, rumors are circulating that King Charles bought it in order to be closer to his estranged son. A piece in NDTVworld.com screams out, “King Charles Buys $6.63 Million House in US, Closer to Prince Harry,” although immediately noting that Montecito, California, Harry and Meghan’s residence, is a long distance from New York City. “The move is being seen as the monarch bridging the gap between him and estranged royal Prince Harry, his son, who now resides in US’s California” they write.
However, a Buckingham palace spokesman flatly denied that the condo had been bought by King Charles and pointed to a similar rumor involving a different property. He may have been referring to the reported purchase in 2015 of a 2,600-square-foot condominium directly across from the United Nations for $7.9 million. Supposedly made by Queen Elizabeth, when she had not done so.
The unit in question, number 11A in the Steinway Tower, was in reality made by the government of Canada and will indeed act as the official residence of the Canadian consul general, according to Alexandra Vachon White, a spokeswoman for the consulate.
Ondel Hylton of CityRealty, shares that Canada was given a hefty discount on the purchase which was originally listed for nearly $11 million as recently as 2022. Canada was not alone in this, despite the spectacular Central Park setting and the luxury of the building, the owners have had difficulty in filling it and they have been forced to offer deep discounts in recent years. Mr. Hylton attributed it to the post-pandemic upheaval that has affected real estate and many sectors of the economy.
The 18-page deed on Unit 11 A was signed by a high-ranking official of the Consulate General of Canada in New York, Robert J. McCubbing, the senior trade commissioner and director of trade and investment. He declined a request for comment.
Apparently, King Charles will not become an adopted New Yorker for the time being.
