T
he former Plaza residence of Frank Lloyd Wright has sold for $18.9 million, meeting its asking price after a brief four-month listing period. The renowned architect lived in the apartment with his wife Olgivanna from 1954 to 1959 while overseeing the construction of the Guggenheim Museum on the Upper East Side.
Wright's time at the Plaza was marked by productivity, as he not only redesigned the unit but also unveiled early plans for the museum in its lobby. The four-bedroom apartment boasts 4,000 square feet and offers sweeping Central Park views, making it a highly sought-after property.
The listing agent, Charlie Attias of Compass, revealed that the mystery buyer is from New York but not a local resident. Attias declined to provide further details about the buyer's identity.
The apartment features Venetian plaster walls, custom moldings, and mosaic tilework, along with 13-foot ceilings and oversized windows offering panoramic views of Central Park, Grand Army Plaza, and Fifth Avenue. Owners at the Plaza Private Residences also enjoy hotel amenities such as 24-hour room service and twice-daily housekeeping.
The property previously belonged to James and Lisa Cohen, heirs of the Hudson News empire, who purchased it in 2009 for $13 million and used it as a pied-à-terre. The Cohens undertook extensive renovations before listing the home in 2015 for $39.5 million, later reducing the price to $26 million without finding a buyer.
The successful sale of Wright's former residence is a welcome development for the Plaza Private Residences, which reported excess listings and significant price drops last year.
