Foreign Affairs Canada (GAC) told CBC News on Friday that it recently purchased a luxury three-bedroom condominium in New York to serve as the official residence of the Canadian Consulate General in New York.
The purchase was first reported by real estate news outlets Crain’s and The Real Deal. On Friday, the New York Post reported that the mansion was priced at $6.63 million, or roughly C$9 million.
The 3,600-square-foot apartment is located at 111 West 57th Street, also known as Steinway Tower, in Midtown Manhattan. The building is one of several luxury skyscrapers in the area known as Billionaire’s Row.
be Online listingThe condo’s “elegant foyer features white Macauba stone floors and a stunning powder room with a jewel-like onyx finish.”
“The spacious living room faces south and has custom smoked grey oak flooring with a parquet pattern, while the adjacent dining room faces east and offers plenty of space for entertaining guests.”
Residents of the building also have access to an on-site padel court, golf simulator and children’s playroom.
The Canadian Consulate General in New York provides diplomatic services to Canadians abroad, including passport, visa and immigration services. The Consulate General’s office also legalizes documents, provides immigration services for studying abroad and assists Canadians in voting overseas.
In a statement, GAC said it provides accommodation to “heads of missions”, including ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general, based on a “real estate policy” that takes into account the importance of missions in the network.
“The apartment, currently used as the residence of the New York envoy and consul general, was purchased in 1961,” GAC said. “It was last renovated in 1982 and does not comply with new building codes or GAC standards.”
GAC said “significant investment” would be needed to modernise the existing housing on Park Avenue, and recommended relocation to “newer, smaller, better suited and more economical apartments” instead.
“In addition to representing savings of more than C$2 million to Canadian taxpayers, ongoing maintenance costs and property taxes will be reduced, support future program needs and satisfy representation requirements,” GAC said in a statement.
The New York Post initially reported that King Charles had purchased the building, but records obtained by the newspaper showed the new owner was listed as “His Majesty the King of Canada, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs.”
The follow-up update also included comments from Robert McCubbing, senior trade commissioner and head of trade and investment at the Canadian consulate in New York, who said it was standard procedure to include King Charles III on the list because he is Canada’s head of state.
Mr McCubing also said King Charles himself would not be using the mansion.
The current Consul General of Canada in New York is Tom Clark, a longtime broadcast journalist with CTV News and Global, who was appointed to the position in February 2023.
CBC News has reached out to Clark and the Canadian Consulate General in New York for comment.
