$97,505
Melbourne-based crypto casino mogul Bijan Tehrani has confidently acquired one of New York’s most prestigious homes, investing over A$70m in the property formerly owned by the iconic American banker, David Rockefeller.
The Wall Street Journal broke the news that the 30-year-old entrepreneur, co-founder of the online gaming platform Stake.com alongside Melbourne’s Ed Craven, secured the lavish five-story, eight-bedroom, 12-bathroom Colonial Revival masterpiece for a substantial $72.9m (US$47m). Erected in 1924 in Manhattan, the property is hailed as “one of the finest townhouses in New York City.”
Boasting elegant sitting rooms, an expansive drawing room, a spacious dining area overlooking an English garden, a vast kitchen, two service kitchens, a skylit spiral center staircase, and eight fireplaces, the residence exudes opulence. The property also features front and backyard gardens, a first-floor terrace, a rooftop patio with a fire pit and al fresco dining area, a golf simulator room, a gym, and an elevator connecting all five floors.
Beyond its luxurious amenities, the residence is equipped with top-tier security features, including ballistic (bulletproof) windows and walls, safe room bedrooms, and comprehensive camera coverage throughout.
Having been in the possession of the Rockefeller family for 70 years, the property was sold in 2018 for A$31m (US$20m) to a former adviser to US President Bill Clinton. Tehrani’s recent acquisition has now set a record as the most expensive townhouse sold in Manhattan this year.
Tehrani’s foray into real estate mirrors the success of his business partner, Ed Craven, who made headlines in August 2022 with an $88m purchase of a “ghost mansion” in Toorak. This acquisition followed closely on the heels of Craven’s $38.5m investment in a nearby property. Earlier in the year, Craven and Tehrani, through Stake.com, inked a lucrative $140 million sponsorship deal, establishing themselves as the lead sponsor for the Formula 1 team, Alfa Romeo, over a three-year period.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to uncover Tehrani’s pivotal role in this significant real estate transaction, solidifying his position in the high-stakes world of luxury property alongside his accomplished business partner.