Apthorp conversion drama heats up

The Apthorp’s condo conversion deadline is looming with project owners Africa Israel Investments and Mann Realty Associates needing to move 25 units at the building, at 2201 Broadway between 78th and 79th streets, by Sept. 15. According to a source, around 22 units are in contract, double the number reported to have been sold. But the building has been relying heavily on a media blitz including a major price slashing as reports of stars like Bruce Willis and Alec Baldwin looking at the building have emerged. Africa Israel and Mann Realty called in star agent Dolly Lenz, a vice chairman at Prudential Douglas Elliman, to handle sales in late July.