Ismael Leyva snaps up 57th Street pad in building he designed

Ismael Leyva, the architect behind notable Manhattan buildings such as the Yves Chelsea, has nabbed an apartment at a Midtown building he designed.

The Mexican-American design guru paid $3.91 million for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom pad at Place 57, the same 36-story story tower at 207 East 57th Street in which chat show host Oprah Winfrey previously owned an apartment, according to public records filed with the city today.

Blu Kokin of residential brokerage CORE represented Levya in the deal. The sellers, Brian and Kathryn Ballard, were represented by Mark Schoenfeld and Brandon Cohen of the Corcoran Group.

As the architect of the building, Levya knew the property well prior to the deal, Schoenfeld said.

“There was very little due diligence to do,” he said.

Neither Kokin nor Levya were immediately available for comment.

The 30th floor apartment has a triangular living room, mahogany floors and views reaching as far north as the George Washington Bridge, according to the listing. The building has a 24-hour concierge, a fitness center, a conference room and garden.

The deal follows the sale of Levya’s former home at 353 Central Park West in August, for $7.55 million. He had owned that property since 2007.

Levya’s more recent projects include the Charles Condominium at 1355 First Avenue. He was also recently tapped to design the new School of Visual Arts dormitory at 407 First Avenue on 24th street on behalf of developer Magnum Real Estate Group.

Oprah’s penthouse at Place 57 sold to London-based hedge fund partner Mark Hillery and his wife Melissa for $7.9 million in 2012.