B
arbara Corcoran's New York City penthouse apartment was love at first sight. In 1992, she delivered a package to the 4,600-square-foot space and envisioned herself living there one day. "I walked in and saw this green, lush terrace through the French doors," she recalled. "If you're ever going to sell this, would you sell it to me?" The owner didn't take her seriously back then, but years later when she was ready to sell, Corcoran got a call.

    Corcoran and her husband bought the 11-room duplex apartment in 2018 for $10 million. They spent an additional $3 million on renovations, which included a greenhouse, curved staircase, and stunning city views. For Corcoran, it's not just about the property itself but how it makes her feel. "I have an emotional love affair with them," she said. "It's romanticism. I walk in and I go, 'I belong here.'"

    Corcoran has a knack for choosing properties based on intuition, often purchasing sight unseen. She established a relationship with the apartment's owner back in 1992, but what mattered most was that she had envisioned herself living there. In an interview, she said, "Relationships matter, but more importantly than that, dreaming matters." If she were to sell, Corcoran estimated she could have gotten $12 million for the penthouse apartment, but she's happy to be living there and plans to stay for 10 years.