Come fly away!
Buying an apartment in this iconic building, at 10 Gracie Square, was a full-circle moment for financier William Douglass, whose grandfather, Juan Trippe — founder of Pan American World Airways, aka Pan Am — and grandmother also lived in the elegant 15-story edifice from 1940 to 1967.
“As a child, I visited my grandparents in the building, and I grew up watching Pan Am planes take off from LaGuardia from their living room,” said Douglass, the entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of the investment firm K2 Advisors, which is now part of Franklin Templeton. “When my wife Kristin and I were looking for a city home after I had retired and sold my company, it felt like coming home, and that’s why I chose to buy here. It’s in my blood.”
But now, Douglass has listed his own apartment — in what social commentator Tom Wolfe dubbed one of the city’s “Good Buildings” — for $4.29 million.
He bought the three-bedroom, three-bathroom co-op in 2015 for $3.55 million, according to property records.
The eighth-floor unit opens to a foyer that leads to a large living room with high ceilings, herringbone floors, a restored marble woodburning fireplace and large picture windows overlooking the water. There’s also an eat-in chef’s kitchen and a butler’s pantry with a wet bar and wine storage.
The main bedroom features a large walk-in closet and an ensuite bath. The home also boasts lots of storage, custom closets and surround sound.
The couple aren’t in the city as much anymore, spending more time in “warmer locales.” (Pres. Donald Trump nominated Douglass to be the US ambassador to the Bahamas during his first term, but Pres. Joe Biden rescinded the offer.)
“It’s a bittersweet decision, but it’s time for someone else to create new memories here. It’s really a special place to call home,” Douglass added.
The gracious building, which dates to 1930, was renovated by legendary designers Mark Hampton and David Easton.
Amenities include a basketball/squash court, plus a porte-cochère entrance. When it launched, there was a private club below that included yacht mooring — until it was demolished to make way for the FDR.
The listing brokers are Scott Hustis and Mark Jovanovic of Compass.
