New York University president John Sexton, no stranger to real estate squabbles linked to the school, reportedly hooked his son up with a university-owned apartment for years.
Son Jed Sexton, who had no affiliation with the school other than his father is the NYU president, lived in a one-bedroom apartment at 240 Mercer Street during a “severe” housing shortage at the university, according to the New York Post. The younger Sexton took up residence in the new duplex in 2002 along with newlywed wife Danielle Decrette, and lived there for the next five years, according to documents cited by the Post and sources reportedly briefed on the situation.
The two floors of the pad were linked by a staircase installed at NYU’s expense, as well as a reconfigured heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, according to the Post.
“We don’t discuss the specifics of residents’ rent, though I can absolutely say [Jed Sexton] was charged rent,” NYU spokesperson John Beckman told the Post.
Beckman declined to comment to the Post on why NYU offered the apartment to Jed Sexton and his wife when faculty housing was reportedly squeezed.
The senior Sexton, who has tangled with faculty over the university’s neighborhood expansion plan and several other issues, will step down when his contract expires in 2016. [NYP] — Julie Strickland