Trophy homes were not adversely affected even when the global economy went into a downturn. Now with the real estate market looking up more such homes are coming on the market. A potential record breaker is the opulent 20,000 square foot mansion that boasts of sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The asking price has been set at $114 million. The six level house has been wrapped in a bow for Christmas. The interiors of the mansion have been inspired by Palace of Versailles, the castles of Italy and even a media room based on the owner’s favorite movie-theater in Queens, New York. All the 19 rooms in the mansion including seven bedrooms have been decorated with the finest European imported materials.
The Mansion Was originally Built in 1883
Apart from the 20,000 square feet of living space the mansion boasts of 2,500 square feet of outdoor space in the form of a three-tiered rooftop deck. The mansion also features a saltwater pool with spa in the basement. Another exclusive feature of the mansion is that the sidewalk outside and the stoop leading to the front door can be heated for the winter months. The mansion was originally built in 1883 and now attracts an annual property tax of $178,246. Less than a decade ago the property was bought by NHL’s Florida Panther’s owner Vincent Viola and his wife Teresa in 2005 for just $20 million. They renovated the interiors completely. The process took all of three years but the effort has been worth it.
The Level of Grandeur is Awe Inspiring
The mansion now has six bathrooms, three powder rooms, a brick pizza oven in the kitchen and a picnic room. The kitchen is 40 feet wide and boasts of three stone sinks and four mahogany-framed windows that overlook 60th Street. Viola was closely associated with the grand redesign and traveled all over the world to source the materials and artifacts perfectly suited for the décor. The 900 square foot dining room is clearly inspired by Versailles and the same level of grandeur is evident everywhere in the mansion. The walls are decorated with gold leaf and the powder room has a fireplace made from Brazilian travertine and the third-floor banquet room has a black walnut heated floor. Anyone who wants to own all this will not deterred by the three digit price tag.
