The former Park Avenue apartment of Canada's consul general in New York has finally been sold after spending two years on the market, according to the Washington bureau of The Canadian Press.
Sale Details
Global Affairs Canada has not yet confirmed the final sale price, but officials stated in March that an offer had been received. One real estate website reported that the five-bedroom apartment sold for US$8.05 million on May 11, while another source indicated the same price was agreed upon in March.
The residence was originally listed for US$9.5 million (approximately C$13 million) in August 2024. Government representatives explained that the sale was prompted by the need for millions of dollars in renovations.
New Luxury Condo Purchase
In a separate transaction, Global Affairs Canada purchased a new luxury condominium for C$9 million on New York's prestigious "Billionaires Row," near Central Park. This property will serve as the official residence for Canada's consul general. The deal, however, faced significant backlash from Conservative politicians, who criticized the expenditure as wasteful at a time when many Canadians were struggling financially.
The controversy even made international headlines when some New York real estate websites initially reported that the condo was purchased on behalf of King Charles, as the property's deed listed "His Majesty the King in right of Canada" as the buyer.
Testimony and Background
Former CTV journalist Tom Clark, who serves as Canada's consul general in New York, was called to testify before a House of Commons committee regarding the apartment transactions. Clark stated that he had no involvement in either the purchase of the new apartment or the sale of the old residence.
The Park Avenue apartment was originally acquired in 1961 and underwent its last renovation two decades later. During committee hearings, it was revealed that the property did not comply with Canada's accessibility laws. Additionally, the building's co-op board had imposed restrictions on events that could be held in the apartment.
