A more than a century-old palatial townhouse owned by Mexico’s richest man Carlos Slim Helu has hit the market for a record $80 million after a failed attempt to sell the property in 2015.
The telcom billionaire, once ranked as the richest man alive by the Forbes Billionaire List, is making another attempt to divest himself of the 20,000-square-foot mansion at 1009 Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s ritzy Upper East Side.
Also known as the Benjamin N. Duke House, realtors have described the sale as a “rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history,” and if sold, it would break the record for the most expensive townhouse ever sold in New York City would.
Built between 1899 and 1901, the eight-bedroom, ten-bathroom mansion offers views of the city skyline and Central Park from the patio and rooftop, and would fetch Slim nearly twice what he paid for the home in 2010.
A more than a century-old palatial townhouse owned by Mexico’s richest man Carlos Slim Helu has hit the market for a record $80 million after a failed attempt to sell the property in 2015
The telcom billionaire, once ranked as the richest man alive by the Forbes Billionaire List, is making another attempt to divest himself of the 20,000-square-foot mansion at 1009 Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side
The Benjamin N. Duke House was designed by Welch, Smith & Provot in Italian Renaissance palazzo style with strong Beaux Arts elements.
The mansion’s first buyer and namesake was Benjamin N. Duke, a tobacco, textile, and energy industrialist and philanthropist who owned the American Tobacco Company in 1907.
He and his family lived next door to Henry and Kate Timmerman, occupations unknown, who bought the neighboring mansion at number 1007, while a William Augustus and Sarah Hall bought number 1008.
The dukes didn’t stay for very long, history tells us, and moved to the Plaza Hotel in 1909.
Next, Benjamin Duke’s brother James lived there with his family until James Duke moved into his own new mansion at Fifth Avenue and 78th Street.
Incredibly, a number of members of the Duke family lived in the home in the 1970s when it was designated a landmark.
Also known as the Benjamin N. Duke House, realtors have described the sale as a “rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history,” and if sold, it would break the record for the most expensive townhouse ever sold in New York City would
Standing tall in one of the most desirable neighborhoods for NYC’s elite, it is one of the last remnants of the privately owned luxury mansions along Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park
Built between 1899 and 1901, the eight-bedroom, ten-bathroom mansion offers views of the city skyline and Central Park from the patio and rooftop, and would fetch Slim nearly twice what he paid for the home in 2010
Numbers 1006, 1007 and 1008 were not so lucky. “Two houses, numbered 1006 and 1007, were demolished amid widespread protests in 1972 when the Landmarks Preservation Commission was unable to hold public hearings and landmark proposals,” an LPC report said.
Meanwhile, “the heavily modified house number 1008 was demolished in February [1977].’
Standing tall in one of the most desirable neighborhoods for NYC’s elite, it is one of the last remnants of the privately owned luxury mansions along Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park.
“A true architectural masterpiece that has been designated a New York City Landmark,” the listing reads.
Real estate agents have said its “unparalleled craftsmanship” would make it a unique and important asset for investors and collectors looking to bolster their real estate portfolios
The grand staircase climbs five levels with spacious landings with large windows. The upper floors have a skylight and can be reached via an additional staircase. The terrace and rooftop offer views of Central Park and the city skyline
The property features numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as lavish living and entertaining spaces with elegant marble fireplaces and ornate crown molding
Real estate agents have said its “unparalleled craftsmanship” would make it a unique and important asset for investors and collectors looking to bolster their real estate portfolios.
Listed as a single family home, the limestone and red brick mansion has over 20,000 square feet of living space and offers large and spacious rooms, high ceilings, large windows and lots of natural light.
“The property features numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as lavish living and entertaining spaces with elegant marble fireplaces and ornate crown molding,” the listing reads.
“The impressive grand staircase leads up five levels, with spacious landings with large windows.
A picture of the mansions 1006-1009 Fifth Avenue in 1925. The Dukes were the first buyers of 1009 and lived alongside Henry and Kate Timmerman, occupations unknown, who lived in 1007, and William Augustus and Sarah Hall, who lived in 1008
The house was built between 1899 and 1901. Here is the exterior of Benjamin Newton and Sarah Duke’s home at 1009 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street in 1921
Numbers 1006-1009 in 1940. Numbers 1006, 1007 and 1008 were not so lucky as to survive – 1006 and 1007 were demolished in 1972 amid heavy protests. 1008 was demolished in 1977
“In addition, the upper floors of the residential building have a striking skylight and can be reached via an additional staircase.
“The terrace and rooftop offer stunning views of Central Park and the city skyline.”
Located on 5th Avenue, one of the most famous and prestigious streets in the world, this majestic building offers an abundance of shopping and dining options and is a stone’s throw from cultural attractions and entertainment.
The listing suggested several ways the space could be used: “The building can be reimagined as a private residence or transformed into a gallery, shop, museum or foundation given its prime location across from the Met Museum.” In 1985 the building was restored.
Floor plans for 1009 5th Avenue, New York show two different floor plans. The listing suggested several ways the space could be used, including as a private residence or its conversion into a gallery, shop, museum or foundation
Slim, whose net worth is currently $90.7 billion, bought the mansion in 2010 for $44 million from the late Russian oil titan Tamir Sapir
Slim, whose net worth is currently $90.7 billion, bought the mansion in 2010 for $44 million from the late Russian oil titan Tamir Sapir.
Business tycoon, investor and philanthropist Slim and his family control América Móvil, Latin America’s largest wireless operator.
He is a self-made man, the son of Catholic Lebanese parents who immigrated to Mexico, and according to Forbes, “Every Sunday his father would give 5 pesos pocket money and require him to enter his purchases in a ledger.”
He studied civil engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, known by the acronym UNAM, School of Engineering.
Slim and his family own 79 percent of Grupo Carso, one of Latin America’s largest conglomerates, which accounts for over 8 percent of its wealth.