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Uncle Sam spent $52K on curtains for US ambassador’s penthouse
Ambassador Nikki Haley, who lives at 50 UN Plaza in Manhattan, was not informed of the purchase
The federal government spent $52,701 to install custom mechanical curtains at the Manhattan penthouse of the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The ambassador, Nikki R. Haley, lives in a 6,000-square-foot penthouse at the Zeckendorf Brothers’ 50 UN Plaza, which the federal government leases for her as an official residence and to entertain guests, according to the New York Times, which reported the story.
The curtains cost $29,900 and the machinery to open and close them cost another $22,801. The purchase of the curtains and decision to lease the apartment was made during President Obama’s administration, the Times reported. Haley’s spokesperson said the ambassador was not notified about the purchase.
The unit, which has expansive views over the East River and Manhattan, was previously listed for $58,000 per month.
Previous ambassadors to the U.N. lived at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, but the government ditched the building in 2016, citing security concerns after Chinese conglomerate Anbang Insurance Group bought it.
The full-floor, five-bedroom apartment sits on the 40th floor and features 11-foot ceilings, according to Streeteasy. Sales at the tower launched in 2013. [NYT] — Konrad Putzier