Nigerian energy businessman Kolawole ‘Kola’ Aluko, 48, was the owner of Apartment 79, a penthouse apartment in One57 which is now up for sale for $39million
A luxurious Manhattan apartment previously owned by an on-the-run Nigerian billionaire is up for sale for $11million less than he bought it for.
Disgraced Nigerian energy businessman Kolawole ‘Kola’ Aluko, 48, bought Apartment 79 in the One57 building in 2014 for $51.9million.
And now as he tries to evade authorities – the penthouse apartment is now up for sale for just $39.9million.
The seller is apparently anxious to get rid of the property – as it is listed by a ‘MOTIVATED SELLER!!!’
The property was supposed to be sold at a foreclosure auction in July.
However, that sale fell through for an unknown reason and it has now been put back on the market by a ‘motivated seller’.
The 6,240 square foot apartment is described as a four bed, four-and-a-half bathroom penthouse with stunning views of Central Park, the Hudson and East rivers, the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty.
It is described as a ‘once in a lifetime investment opportunity’ as it’s the ‘last remaining full floor residence at Manhattan’s New Crown Jewel, One 57 Condominium.
The 79th floor penthouse of the One57 apartment building in Manhattan is up for sale by a ‘motivated seller’
The 6,420-square-foot unit, which used to belong to disgraced Nigerian billionaire Kolawole ‘Kola’ Aluko, has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms
The owner of the apartment bought it for $51.9million in December 2014, but quickly had to take out a loan to pay the apartment off
Above, the kitchen in the 79th floor apartment of One57. The apartment is described as a ‘once in a lifetime investment opportunity’
Even the bathrooms inside apartment 79 have amazing views of the city. It is the last available full-floor residence at the One57 complex
Aluko bought the sprawling penthouse for $51.9million in 2014, but in less than a year later however he was forced to take out a $35.5million mortgage from Banque Havilland in Luxembourg to help pay for the apartment.
When the owner failed to pay the loan back a year later, the bank took possession of the 6,420-square-foot apartment, according to court documents.
‘The home was in foreclosure, but it is now being sold by a third party as an alternative to foreclosure,’ a source close to the property told the New York Post.
The source also said Compass broker Ali H Jafri is handling the sale, and that Aluko isn’t involved.
Aluko has been accused of making money by bribing Nigeria’s oil minister – Diezani Alison-Madueke – in a $1.76billion dollar scheme to defraud the country’s oil sale profits.
The justice department lawsuit claims that Aluko and one other laundered money by purchasing $144million in properties – including the penthouse and yatch, where he is thought to be hiding out to evade arrest.
The 213-foot Galactica Star is worth $80million, as he is under investigation for alleged money-laundering crimes in Nigeria and Europe.
Beyonce and Jay Z rented that same yacht in 2015 for $900,000 a week.
Aluko is currently under investigation for alleged money-laundering crimes in Nigeria and Europe.
He was last seen in Hong Kong and May and his yacht is currently in the Bahamas.
In 2014 a Nigerian court tried to freeze his assets – including the jaw-dropping penthouse, but never found him to serve papers.
One57 was the tallest residential building in New York for a few months, before the completion of nearby 432 Park Avenue
Aluko, right, is friends with stars including actor Jamie Foxx, left, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay Z and Beyoncé. Aluko and Foxx are pictured in 2013
Not a worry in the world: Aluko was spotted in Hong Kong earlier this year
The businessman who once dated Naomi Campbell is also close friends with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx.
Aluko made a large donation to DiCaprio’s environmental charity and even attended the actor’s birthday party in New York City in 2013.
The energy tycoon sold a 2.4-acre estate in Montecito, California, to Gwyneth Paltrow for an undermarket $4.9million.
In 2012, he bought an 11,478-square-foot house in Bel Air for $24.5 million, then sold the property in 2016 for $21.5 million.
One57 was built by Extell Development Co. and was the tallest residential building in Manhattan until 432 Park Ave was completed a few months later. It is also one of the city’s most expensive residential apartment buildings.
Construction started on the building in 2009 and finished in 2014, creating a trend of similar ultra-luxury high-rises on 57th street which has now been coined ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
The bottom floors of the building are now the flagship location of the Park Hyatt Hotel. The residences have a separate entrance to the building.
Amenities include a 24-hour doorman and concierge, fitness center, yoga studio, private dining room, catering kitchen, library, valet service and on-site parking.
Aluko rented the Galactica Star to Jay Z and Beyoncé, pictured leaving the yacht in 2013, for $900,000 a week