Chinese buyer of $70M pad eyes Howard Lorber’s co-op downstairs

Investor is looking to acquire more space in the Sherry Netherland

781 Fifth Avenue in Lenox Hill (inset: Howard Lorber)
781 Fifth Avenue in Lenox Hill (inset: Howard Lorber)

The Chinese buyer of a $70 million co-op in the Sherry Netherland is considering picking up Douglas Elliman chair Howard Lorber’s apartment on the floor below.

Lorber revealed the information Tuesday at an event hosted by Douglas Elliman and Knight Frank. He can’t move out of the building for about another year, as he awaits the completion of his new home at Macklowe Properties and CIM Group’s 432 Park Avenue, the New York Daily News reported.

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The Asian investor’s purchase of the $70 million space at 781 Fifth Avenue is one of the highest prices ever paid for a New York City co-op. He purchased the 18th-floor home from Liberty Travel Agency co-founder Gilbert Haroche. Lorber, whose apartment is on the 17th floor, said the potential buyer is considering using the second apartment “for his family.”

Len Blavatnik’s $77.5 million purchase of Jets owner Woody Johnson’s 834 Fifth Avenue apartment holds the record for highest co-op sale price. [NYDN] — Tess Hofmann