Meier No More: Nicole Kidman Sells Superfluous Pad In Starchitects Perry Street Funhouse

Downsizing her Manhattan real estate holdings.

Who needs two sprawling New York apartments? Not Nicole Kidman. The Hollywood star has finally sold one of her New York apartments, the airy spread at176 Perry Street.Ms. Kidman, apparently used to living in glass boxes/houses/under the glare of prying eyes (wide shut!), was once quite bewitched by the three-bedroom pad in Richard Meiers windowed tower.

But the spell was quickly broken by Richard Meiers other glass tower rising nearby at 165 Charles Street (or so rumors claim), which was said to partially block the view from Ms. Kidmans 12th-floor condo. Indeed, it is a plight sure to befall many elite New Yorkers in these coming years as competing towers fight for dominance of unobstructed forever views.

But a star never puts up with second best, and Ms. Kidman promptly bought a penthouse at 200 Eleventh Avenue, where she and Keith Urban can presumably gaze at the Hudson without any pesky starchitect buildings in the way. When they arent staying at their place in Nashville. Or Australia.

At least the views look good from here.

Ms. Kidmans, who bought the West Village unit under the dystopic-sounding Client 2318 Living Trust originally listed the apartment a! s a high-priced rental, asking $45,000 a month with Halstead Property broker Richard Orenstein. But the strategy, though promising spectacular returns, flopped liked a bad Baz Luhrman epic. The unit spent some months on the rental market before being purchased for $16 million. The sale was first reported The Real Deal.

Nonetheless, the condo gives a compelling performance in Mr. Orensteins listing: clean modern lines, superb luxury finishes and a dramatic 30-foot entrance gallerythe ideal backdrop for your art collection. The listing also informs us that the views are mesmerizing and shimmering and that the apartment will be your oasis in the sky.

The buyer is listed on the deed as Perry West LLC. Perhaps its another Hollywood star? Like Katie Holmes? After all, it wouldnt be the first time Ms. Holmes has followed in Ms. Kidmans footsteps. And her place at the Chelsea Mercantile is only a rental.

kvelsey@observer.com

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