Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is buying up a large piece of an entire city block to build one of New York’s largest mansions.

Abramovich — who also owns English soccer team Chelsea F.C. and has been estimated to be worth $9.3 billion — bought 11 East 75th Street for $29.7 million in October from Stellar Management’s Larry Gluck, according to the New York Post. In December, the billionaire bought the property two doors down, the newspaper reported, at 15 East 75th Street for $18.3 million. Both homes are narrow townhouses. The property that is wedged in between, 13 East 75th Street, is currently in contract to be sold to a Russian buyer.

Last year, Abramovich’s planned purchase of a $75 million co-op — which at that time would have been a record — was declined by the wealthy widow who owned the unit in the Berwind mansion at 828 Fifth Avenue. [NYP] — Claire Moses