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House of Outrageous Fortune: Fifteen Central Park West, the World's Most Powerful Address Kindle Edition
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With two concierge-staffed lobbies, a walnut-lined library, a lavish screening room, a private sixty-seat restaurant offering residents room service, a health club complete with a seventy-foot swimming pool, penthouses that cost almost $100 million, and a tenant roster that’s a roll call of business page heroes and villains, Fifteen Central Park West is the most outrageously successful, insanely expensive, titanically tycoon-stuffed real estate development of the twenty-first century.
In this “stunning” (CNN) and “deliciously detailed” (Booklist, starred review) New York Times bestseller, journalist Michael Gross turns his gimlet eye on the new-money wonderland that’s sprung up on the southwest rim of Central Park. Mixing an absorbing business epic with hilarious social comedy, Gross “takes another gossip-laden bite out of the upper crust” (Sam Roberts, The New York Times), whichincludes Denzel Washington, Sting, Norman Lear, top executives, and Russian and Chinese oligarchs, to name a few. And he recounts the legendary building’s inspired genesis, costly construction, and the flashy international lifestyle it has brought to a once benighted and socially déclassé Manhattan neighborhood.
More than just an apartment building, 15CPW represents a massive paradigm shift in the lifestyle of New York’s rich and famous—and is a bellwether of the city’s changing social and financial landscape.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAtria Books
- Publication dateMarch 11, 2014
- File size54634 KB
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Review
"A deliciously detailed and completely engaging look at how the 0.1 percent live in one building." (Booklist, starred review)
“Michael Gross…rules the school of literature you might call Books about Buildings Where Lots of Rich People Live” (Vanity Fair)
"As much fun as any thriller or fiction." (Joan Hamburg )
"Demonstrates conclusively the abiding truth of Clare Boothe Luce’s observation, “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while you’re being miserable." (The Economist)
"Michael Gross, an author with a delicate appreciation for bloated egos and wealth, makes them glitter in 'House of Outrageous Fortune: Fifteen Central Park West, the World's Most Powerful Address.' The intersecting strands of money, politics, greed, taste, ambition shine brightly." (Manuela Hoelterhoff, Bloomberg News )
"House of Outrageous Fortune pulls back the limestone curtain of 15 Central Park West to reveal seismic shifts in New York society and the astonishing lifestyle-without-limits of the new global elite. It's a dishy--but not trashy--page-turner." (Barbara Corcoran, founder of the Corcoran Group and star of ABC's Shark Tank )
"Michael Gross has done it again! In intricate and revelatory detail, he shows how Fifteen Central Park West became the most famous and talked-about building in Manhattan: It's the people who live there, of course, and Gross gives us a front-row seat on their passions, their antics and why they want the very best money can buy." (William D. Cohan, author of Money and Power: How Goldman Sachs Came to Rule the World )
"Both an incisive social commentary on our modern Gilded Age and an irresistible peek behind the walls of 15 Central Park West, otherwise known as "Limestone Jesus." With characteristic audacity and wit, Michael Gross has deftly chronicled the immense egos (and bank accounts) of the nouveau riche who reside at Manhattan's most coveted address." (Karen Abbott, author of Sin in the Second City and American Rose )
"Want to understand what Occupy Wall Street was about? In House of Outrageous Fortune, Michael Gross explains it--and then some. With a rollicking, informative history of New York City, tales of mega real estate fortunes made and lost, and dizzying examples of the super-wealthy's greed and ostentation, Gross deftly traces the arc of America both socially and financially and proves that the top two percent most certainly do not live like you or I." (Dana Thomas author of Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster)
"Michael Gross captures the phenomenon that is 15 Central Park West, where creative talent, towering ambition and unimaginable wealth instill a magical aura of glamour and romance not seen in a Gotham apartment house since the Gatsby era." (Peter Pennoyer, Architect, author and chairman of The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art )
About the Author
Official hashtag: #focusyourselfie
Facebook: MichaelGrossAuthor
Instagram: @FocusYourSelfie
Twitter: MGrossGripepad
Product details
- ASIN : B00DPM7ZH6
- Publisher : Atria Books; Reprint edition (March 11, 2014)
- Publication date : March 11, 2014
- Language : English
- File size : 54634 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 478 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #911,163 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #355 in Urban Sociology
- #955 in History of Mid-Atlantic U.S.
- #1,305 in Biographies of the Rich & Famous
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Michael Gross is one of America's most provocative non-fiction writers. A contributing editor of Departures, he's written for Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ, Town & Country,the New York Times and New York, and authored twelve books--detective novels, biographies, exposes and social histories--among them, Rogues' Gallery, a history and expose of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Unreal Estate, uncovering the secrets of the estate district of Los Angeles, and the critically-acclaimed best-sellers Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, House of Outrageous Fortune, the story of 15 Central Park West and its residents, and 740 Park: The Story of the World's Richest Apartment Building. He's just finished his next book, Focus, a look at the sexy, scandalous world of fashion photographers. Atria Books will publish it next year.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They find it interesting and informative, with a fascinating story about Manhattan's most expensive address. The writing quality is praised as well-written and easy to understand. However, some readers found the book too long and boring, with irrelevant details that made it hard to keep interested.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book interesting and insightful. They appreciate the colorful history and backstory of the Upper West Side. The story about the holdout tenant is also a highlight.
"...I almost gave up on it early on. The stories were the best part but you have to wait for it." Read more
"...You'll see what I mean! Also, I loved the story about that holdout tenant...." Read more
"...this book is for real estate wheeler-feelers, superbly researched, interesting, one can learn a lot, like buying property, one has to be patient, it..." Read more
"...How, and when, and what the process was to build it. Some New York history was interesting. An OK read but not fascinating...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They find it informative and entertaining, especially the last section about real estate. Readers mention it's a must-read for realtors.
"...Well worth the read...and the trip. :)" Read more
"...Great read - if you skip the boring parts...." Read more
"...of West side and Columbus Circle, expertly written and very entertaining, I,m continuing to read it." Read more
"...For those of us who live here, it is interesting to read how this building came to be built, and the people it attracted from days when it was only..." Read more
Customers find the book fascinating and well-researched. They find the material presented interesting, with detailed information about the rich and famous. However, some readers feel the book is too long and lacks a plot.
"Outstandingly well researched book. Far more detailed than simply a name dropping reference to those celebrities who live there...." Read more
"...the list of famous people who lived there and their stories, were mesmerizing. The book is very long, too long...." Read more
"I have to admit glitzy, glossy novels chronicling the lives of the uber-well of have a certain place in my heart...." Read more
"A real inside look of not on the physical aspects of 15 Central Park West such as descriptions of the lobby, pool, and the architectural details..." Read more
Customers find the book well-written and easy to read.
"...the big money, the development of West side and Columbus Circle, expertly written and very entertaining, I,m continuing to read it." Read more
"Well written, well researched and very detailed all add up to a book guaranteed to... put you to sleep quickly...." Read more
"...He has always come across as a great tabloid-trash writer, but not much else...." Read more
"It is certainly a complete history..... Very well written and researched. I expected it to be a bit more personal in nature...." Read more
Customers find the book boring and hard to keep interested. They mention it's a waste of time with irrelevant names and numbers. The book wastes 180 pages on history instead of about the building.
"...in an ocean of irrelevant and/or picayune detail that quickly becomes chokingly trivial. Does the publisher not employ editors?..." Read more
"...Some New York history was interesting. An OK read but not fascinating. If you're looking for good dish on the uber rich this isn't it." Read more
"Good book, got less interesting as it went on...." Read more
"otherwise too long and boring. I resent the hype that prompted me to buy this book! Good Grief!! Not even any scandals as hinted at." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2015Outstandingly well researched book. Far more detailed than simply a name dropping reference to those celebrities who live there. Nevertheless, being an avid Sting fan for the last 30+ years, Mr. Gross' account did inspire me to visit the building and see for myself exactly what makes it so special. Well worth the read...and the trip. :)
- Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2023It's slow to start. However, the list of famous people who lived there and their stories, were mesmerizing. The book is very long, too long. I think some of the lead up information in the first section could have been shortened. I almost gave up on it early on. The stories were the best part but you have to wait for it.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2014I have to admit glitzy, glossy novels chronicling the lives of the uber-well of have a certain place in my heart. And it was these tenets in mind that I chose to purchase "Fortune". I had read a bit of Gross's previous book about Beverly Park in Los Angeles so I guess I should've been aware of the abundance of facts and history tid-bits which though I enjoy reading about the building and sure, even the developers and fine, also the investors. I don't really want to read about every Tom, Jack and Sally buyer. I guess it might be in some peoples time to enjoy reading how a no-name rich guy from Serbia got his money - but not I. Those parts were the annoying parts - but everything else was great! I enjoyed reading about the developmental process - the butting of heads of the titans and the process of selling, building and reselling these homes. Great read - if you skip the boring parts. In my opinion the only "background pages" you should read are the ones talking about the Zeckendorfs, Stern and investors (Eyal Ofer of Global Holdings) (Goldman Sachs) in the building. You'll see what I mean! Also, I loved the story about that holdout tenant. I'm not sure it's worth $12.99 but if it's every <$8 I'd say without a doubt buy it! At the current price - make sure you really like 15CPW!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2014A real inside look of not on the physical aspects of 15 Central Park West such as descriptions of the lobby, pool, and the architectural details such as what building materials were used, but also layouts of some apartments, information about the in house restaurant which gives readers a real "inside"
Equally fascinating are the many machinations that some prominent people and some not so prominent people indulged in getting apartments. Also information the building staff, their real feelings about famous and some not so famous residents.
The larger social issues are also covered since 15 CPW is a condominium no Board approval is required and the often acrimonious process of getting into the upper upper end of the NYC is just not there. As some body once said the three most important qualities of a successful restaurant are:location, location, location, 15 CPW are money, money, money.
It also validates what I believe JP Morgan's response as to how much it costs for his yacht "if you have to ask. You can't afford it. Item at one time SandyWeil allegedly give 90,000 in tips one year and to the consternation of at least some staff were highly chagrined whe. He allegedly cut it by half.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2014I've read a lot of Gross's (and Steve Gaines') books on high-end buildings and the personalities involved; and all were really well researched and interesting. If you lived in N.Y. and were in the real estate business you might enjoy this detailed conglomeration of "millions-this" and "mega-millions-that" deal after deal, located on whatever streets & intersections that don't mean anything to a non-New Yorker. As for me, I was rather expecting more insight into the personalities of the tenants and their stories, other than the obscure who-zits and LLC buyers who simply jumped on the chance to purchase units only to resell/re-resell to make even more mega-millions. While there was a lot of background on the years leading up to the purchase of the location for the building, the facts became repetitive and boring after several chapters. Yawn.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2014As much as I read 30 procent, this book is for real estate wheeler-feelers, superbly researched, interesting, one can learn a lot, like buying property, one has to be patient, it is like a long chess play, the intricacies, the big money, the development of West side and Columbus Circle, expertly written and very entertaining, I,m continuing to read it.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2014In-depth information about the uber rich who buy multiple dwellings either as trophy apartments or as investments. Whatever floats their boat. I became fond of the developers and found the Zeckendorf family history interesting. Everyone concerned was only focused on making money, but the Zeckendorf's also wanted to make a great building. They succeeded - It is a great building and will outlive all of its buyers. Too bad it had/has to house some of the bankers and hedge funders that sucked America dry. I wish the author had spent more time on the actual workings of day to day operation of the building. There was some of that, but I wanted more.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014The author previously wrote - among other things - 740 Park Avenue about one of the legendary apartment buildings in NYC and its inhabitants from its building on. This book does the same for another building in NYC- 15 Central Park West. For those of us who live here, it is interesting to read how this building came to be built, and the people it attracted from days when it was only a blueprint to present. The title says it all - astounding amounts of money went into this apartment building from day 1. Still, I somehow didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book. Long- pages and chapters - of description of the development of the Upper West Side of NYC and how 115 CPW could only have been built after this development - were tedious at times. Still, in all, it is an interesting book and if you are interested in this type of story, go for it
Top reviews from other countries
- jayiReviewed in Canada on April 30, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
👍🏽
- João TatitReviewed in Brazil on September 11, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great story by Michael Gross.
This is an important document. The good thing about it is that you don't have the boring side of the document, because Michael Gross once again manages to fill his work with genuine interest for the human feeling which moves us all.
-
Emy F.Reviewed in Italy on September 15, 2014
3.0 out of 5 stars Per gli appassionati di NYC
Buona lettura per chi è appassionato della Grande Mela. Il libro, in inglese, è un po' pesante nella sua parte più storica, mentre si leggono bene le parti più legate al presente e agli inquilini, famosi e non. Lasciano senza fiato le cifre citate.
- JACKCReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT READ
Really well written and full of information. For anyome interested in New York real estate this is a must read book !
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2016
3.0 out of 5 stars bored me a bit
Very real estaty, bored me a bit. Not nearly as fun as his other books.