Saudi prince not a fan of Joan Rivers’ design sensibility

Joan Rivers was a tastemaker to some, but if his plans tear up the insides of her former pad are an indication, Prince Muhammed bin Fahd Al Saud was not among them.

The Saudi royal will undertake a gut renovation of the Versailles-esque Upper West Side triplex penthouse at 1 East 62nd Street, Rivers’ former home, which he bought earlier this year, the New York Post reported.

Bin Faud brought an architect and a designer within a few weeks of taking possession of the apartment. Work started a few weeks later, a source told the Post. The prince likely had to ask the building’s permission before bringing in contractors.

Rivers, the actress, comedian and red carpet staple, appointed her apartment like a 19th Century noblewoman, with chandeliers, five fireplaces, gilded walls and an epic, sweeping staircase. She died in September at age 81.

Another Saudi buyer, retail magnate Fawaz Al Hokair, paid $95 million in May for a penthouse at 432 Park Avenue in Midtown. [NYP] – Ariel Stulberg