Abu Dhabi: Kuwaiti MP Abdullah Al Kandari put up a parliamentary question to Foreign Minister Shaikh Ahmad Nasser Al Sabah regarding the purchase of a penthouse valued at $ 16 million by a diplomat of the Kuwaiti embassy in New York, Al Watan newspaper reported.
The member of the National Assembly pointed out that a number of international magazines published about the embassy employee in New York signing a contract to purchase a penthouse in the 50 United Nations Plaza that exceeded $16 million.
Al Kandari asked about the diplomat who signed the apartment’s purchase contract, the validity of the purchase price, and who gave approval to buy it.
The MP inquired about the market price of that penthouse at the time of its purchase, and whether the Kuwait’s General Investment Authority submitted a report on its evaluation.
The MP demanded that he be provide with a report on the matter and a copy of the purchasing contract of the penthouse.
Kuwait has been reported to have joined the club of nations whose New York-based diplomats enjoy a short commute and high-rise living at 50 United Nations Plaza.
Reports said the rich nation has bought a $16.1 million dollar pad at the East Side building. It will serve as the personal residence of its consul general in New York, Hamad Al Hazeem, who signed the deed.
Sweeping stay-at-home order
The sponsor unit on the 40th floor appeared on the market last June, for the asking price of $18.25 million. Newly available records show it went into contract in August and closed on March 9, a week before Gov. Andrew Cuomo began implementing what became a sweeping stay-at-home order.
The 5,893-square-foot pad has expansive entertaining rooms facing the East River and the United Nations visitor centre and headquarters. It has five large bedrooms and two smaller rooms designated in the floor plan for staff.
The 88-unit condominium was a project of Zeckendorf Development and Global Holdings. Sales launched in 2013.
Al Hazeem reportedly told The Real Deal that he chose the penthouse because it is suitable for entertaining, close to the UN building, and has a driveway that provides safety for his children as they go to and from school.
The building’s initial project sellout was north of $711 million, but it has been lowered to about $642 million, according to filings at the New York attorney general’s office. The city’s condo market has been dragged down by a glut of new supply and $33 billion worth of unlisted, unsold inventory.
