New York mansion where Jeffrey Epstein allegedly abused victims set to sell for $50m
The New York mansion where Jeffrey Epstein is alleged to have abused young women and girls is about to be sold for $50 million (£35m).
The late financier’s Upper East Side townhouse in Manhattan, which once hosted Prince Andrew, is set to go for $38 million under the $88 million asking price.
The seven-storey property is one of the largest private residences in New York and is one of the most expensive to be sold in the city in the past year
The buyer’s name has not been made public, but the New York Post reported that they worked in finance.
“I don’t know who would want it,” one broker told The Post. “I had clients hang up on me, angry that I even suggested it.”
The Duke of York, who had been a friend of Epstein’s, was photographed at the townhouse in 2010. He has denied any allegations of wrongdoing
The property had been on the market for seven months, which estate agents say is a reasonably quick turnaround for a townhouse with such a high-price tag, and especially given the property’s connection to the convicted paedophile.
Real estate experts say that the drop in price could have been due to the coronavirus pandemic, and not necessarily due to its history.
The gothic-style home was bought by Epstein from Les Wexner, the billionaire who founded the Victoria’s Secret lingerie company, in 1998 for $20 million.
It boasts 40 bedrooms, a view of Central Park and even heated pavement outside.
The property was the most valuable of Epstein’s extensive property portfolio, which also included homes in Paris, New Mexico, the US Virgin Islands, and Florida. Epstein’s home in Palm Beach is in contract to sell for an undisclosed sum, The Wall Street Journal reported in November
The proceeds of Epstein’s estate are being used to settle lawsuits brought by the financier’s alleged victims.
Federal agents and police officers raided the townhouse shortly after Epstein’s July 2019 arrest, and said they found hundreds of images and videos of nude underage girls locked inside a safe.
He reportedly installed hundreds of pinhole cameras throughout the home to spy on his victims in “private moments” in bathrooms and bedrooms. The house was also said to feature an array of bizarre decor, from an oil painting of Bill Clinton in heels and a blue dress, to a large taxidermy tiger.
Epstein was found dead in his prison cell a month later.
