No Housing Problems Here

Many workers face trouble paying rent and mortgages on their homes but no such problems exist for these New York residents. It has been labelled "the world's most powerful address", the luxurious Manhattan tower block where Wall Street titans, foreign oligarchs, technology moguls and film and music stars live away from prying eyes. But a book has now revealed the secrets of 15 Central Park West, an imposing $1 billion tower block where the ultra-rich and famous enjoy commanding views of New York's famous green space. 'It is no surprise that the building is home to New York's most expensive apartment, a palatial $88 million penthouse. It was bought by a trust fund from the fortune of Dimtry Rybolovlev, a Russian fertiliser tycoon, for his 22-year daughter, but it is now at the centre of the world's most expensive divorce battle with his estranged wife, Elena. Apartments at 15 CPW currently on the market include a 6,000 sq ft unit owned by steel magnate Leroy Schecter. He initially listed the property for $95 million. It is now available for a snip - at just $65 million. (Daily Telegraph, 12 March) RD