S
onja Morgan's iconic Upper East Side townhouse has resurfaced in the market, this time as a $42,000-a-month rental. The property changed hands just months ago for $4.59 million after being sold at an online auction.

    The five-story townhouse, which boasts 4,650 square feet of living space, was purchased by Morgan and her ex-husband John Adams Morgan in 1998 for $9.1 million. After a series of price cuts and years on and off the market, Morgan decided to auction the home through Concierge Auctions last spring.

    The property had initially been listed for nearly $10 million in 2013 before dropping dramatically to $7.5 million by the time of the auction. The sale saw only two serious bids, with the winning offer coming in just minutes before the close.

    Now, under new ownership linked to the Los Angeles-based real estate firm Hillcrest, the home is being rented out for a staggering $42,000 per month. Photos show that significant changes and updates have been made since Morgan's departure.

    The townhouse features five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, custom woodwork, antique hardware, and a stunning solarium leading to a 35-foot garden with a koi pond. Other notable features include a formal dining room with Gracie Studio wall coverings and a primary suite with a private balcony.

    Despite its grandeur and prime location, the property proved difficult to sell, even after Morgan's 2010 bankruptcy left her with $19.8 million in debt. She eventually decided to stay, trying to rent it out in 2018 for $32,000 a month without finding a long-term buyer.