Followers of high-end real estate with strong celebrity associations may recall that the 52nd Street apartment of legendary actor Greta Garbo surfaced on the open market in the early spring of last year. The brilliant and famously reclusive Garbo had lived in the residence almost exclusively following her retreat from the limelight in the early 1940’s.
If ever a property was linked in an uncanny manner with a famous figure, it is this apartment in the Campanile building, where the melancholic and mysterious Garbo unintentionally wove a poetic epic myth about herself by simple virtue of retreat, and reticence. So, it isn’t too surprising to discover that it sold for over 40% above its asking price, fetching $8.5 million against a $6 million listing.
The apartment is very large and very bright, with a sense of proportion and continuation which borders on the intoxicating. The great room opens onto a private balcony via three sets of French doors, surveying the cityscape and the East River bridges.
Overall, the residence is a curious blend of modest and lush, where pine paneling walls in the living spaces give way to silk-lined walls in the master suite. Other details include the reading alcove or salon, and the 35’-long gallery at the heart of the flat.
The Garbo family had faithfully maintained the feel of the apartment in the years since Garbo’s death, in 1990.
