Moscow Billionaire Slashes Price and Sells Luxurious NYC Penthouse for Nearly Half Its Value

Valery Kogan, the billionaire co-owner of Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, has sold his opulent Manhattan penthouse near Central Park for $33.89 million, which is approximately half of its initial asking price, according to The New York Post, referencing city property records. This extravagant residence, located on the 40th floor of the prestigious 15 Central Park West, boasts nearly 5,400 square feet of space and is home to many celebrities and business elites, including the English musician Sting. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment is described by The New York Post as featuring a décor reminiscent of «extreme Versailles,» complete with a malachite fireplace, large onyx tables, custom flooring, a stained-glass door, intricately carved wood, and accents of 24-karat gold leaf. Additionally, the office in the apartment can serve as a home cinema. The buyer is said to be anonymous and purchased the property through a shell company.

Initially listed at $65 million, this sale is part of Kogan’s broader initiative to divest his real estate holdings, a move that began following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last year, Kogan also sold his seven-acre estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, for $10.4 million.

Nonetheless, his apartment in The Plaza Hotel in New York remains on the market; originally priced at $50 million, it is currently listed at $23 million. This Plaza residence is adorned with gilded wall panels, Venetian plaster, intricate moldings, crystal chandeliers, and even a turret that echoes a medieval castle. Kogan’s family has also been selling real estate in Israel; last year, he sold his Tel Aviv penthouse for $33 million, despite initially hoping to sell it for twice that amount. He bought the property for $30 million 15 years prior and invested several million more into renovations.

The most prominent listing in his real estate portfolio is his grand estate in Caesarea, Israel, which was once valued at $259 million but is now listed for $149.5 million. This 75,000-square-foot mansion features four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a spa, a gym, both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a wine cellar, a billiards room, and a private cinema. Its baroque interior is lavishly decorated with gold accents, marble columns, and chandeliers. Forbes estimates Kogan’s net worth to be $2.5 billion. Although he hasn’t faced sanctions like many of his Russian business counterparts, his major asset—Domodedovo Airport—faces potential nationalization risks. Domodedovo is among the largest airports in Eastern Europe.