Rupert Murdoch Takes Big Discount at One Madison

Rupert Murdoch won’t be blasting out many headlines about the sale of his Flatiron triplex.

The media scion sold his condominium at One Madison for $23.8 million, Crain’s reported. Murdoch was in contract to sell the triplex at 23 East 22nd Street in October with a final asking price of $28.5 million.

Selling the penthouse has been a slog for Murdoch. Two years ago, he listed the 7,000-square-foot pad for $62 million. Several reductions followed, including the markdown in June to $28.5 million from $38.5 million. All of the recent listing prices — and the final purchase price — pale in comparison to the $43 million the nonegenarian spent to purchase the pad in 2014.

The final purchase price works out to $3,400 per square foot.

Murdoch bought the five-bedroom apartment along with another three-bedroom unit, spending a combined $58 million on the two. He sold the smaller unit in October 2022 for $12.5 million.

The condo, which spans the top three floors of the building, features six bathrooms and a corner great room with double-height ceilings. There’s also a 600-square-foot terrace and views of the Hudson and East rivers.

The building, developed by Related Companies and the defunct HFZ Capital, includes a doorman, concierge, fitness center and pool.

Compass’ Kyle Blackmon had the listing. He declined to comment to Crain’s after the sale hit public records. The buyer’s identity could not be discerned from records.

Murdoch is no stranger to taking a hit on the real estate front these days. In September, a months-long pursuit by his REA Group to take over the United Kingdom’s largest real estate portal was soundly rebuffed. REA is locked in a rivalry with Andy Florance’s CoStar Group, which has seen barbs and legal filings shot over the bow.

— Holden Walter-Warner