The prime minister of Qatar has been revealed as the mystery buyer who spent almost $100 million to purchase New York City’s most expensive penthouse.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani brought the luxurious two-story apartment spread over 10,923 square feet in the One57 building back in May.
Furthermore, the billionaire sheikh, who has two wives and 15 children, is reportedly also in discussions about buying four separate, full-floor condos in the exclusive Midtown building, which would bring the total cost to an incredible $250 million.
Revealed: The prime minister of Qatar has been revealed as the mystery buyer who spent almost $100 million to purchase New York City's most expensive penthouse back in May
City living: The sheik's new property boasts 10,923 square foot of space opposite Carnegie Hall and provides breathtaking views of the city skyline
The One57 building’s developer, Extell’s Gary Barnett, confirmed on May 18 that the apartment had been brought but would only say that a ‘very nice family’ had snapped it up.
Mr Barnett said previously that the buyer, now known to be Al-Thani, was also looking at buying the Winter Garden unit - a duplex featuring a solarium totaling 13,500ft and another floor to create a 20,000 square feet space.
If he does make these further purchases that will likely more than double his spending - bringing it up to a staggering $250 million.
Al-Thani laid down between $90million and $100million for the penthouse after his $31.5 million bid for a couple of Fifth Avenue apartments, owned by the late copper heiress Huguette Clark, was rejected.
And he brought the One57 penthouse before he could even see it completed, as the building is currently in development and only due to be finished next year.
The astronomical fee of the penthouse apartment eclipses the $88million forked out by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev on a penthouse for his daughter last winter at 15 Central Park West.
King of the Castle: Views from the castle in the sky will be unparalleled over all of Manhattan, the outer boroughs and beyond; the Sheik brought the property before even seeing it as it is not yet completed
No doubt the owners will be able to afford good window treatments if they want to block out the incredible lights visible from the master bedroom in order to sleep
The One57 building is across the street from Carnegie Hall and a stone’s throw from Central Park.
The penthouse, on the 89th and 90th floors, boasts a ‘grand salon’, at least five bedrooms, four fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows and a large mezzanine, the New York Post reported.
As well as staggering views over the Manhattan skyline and beyond, the property also features impressive 23-foot ceilings.
Al-Thani shelled out on the Midtown penthouse after his bid for two Fifth Avenue apartments, owned by the famously reclusive Huguette Clark, was refused.
'He decided to buy the One57 penthouse after the Huguette Clark rejection,' a source told the New York Post.
Despite offering $500,000 over the asking price, the powerful PM’s bid was refused with the building’s co-op board even refusing the sheikh an interview.
Rejected: Al-Thani initially hoped to buy a couple of Fifth Avenue apartments, owned by the late copper heiress Huguette Clark, for $31.5 million but his bid was rejected by the co-op board
It is thought the board stonewalled his offer after it was revealed he planned to knock the two eight floor apartments into one.
It was also reported that al-Thani's huge family – and the entourage of staff who travel with them – also caused concerns for the co-op board.
Other reasons cited for the rejection were concerns about where his money was coming from and the fact that the Sheikh is a foreign head of state with diplomatic immunity.
Situated on 157 West 57th street One57 will become the tallest residential building in the city when it is finished next year.
High above the rest: Residents in the penthouse of the shimmering glass tower will look down on their neighbors
Reaching for the skies: Construction is expected to finally be finished in 2013. When finished the building the building will appear as at right
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