House of Outrageous Fortune
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Books |
House of Outrageous Fortune: Fifteen Central Park West, the World's Most Powerful Address is a factual work authored by American journalist Michael Gross, released on March 11, 2014, through Atria Books.
Background
This publication centers on 15 Central Park West, an upscale condominium located at the intersection of West 61st Street and Central Park West in New York City. Built between 2005 and 2008 with an investment of $950 million (approximately $1 billion when adjusted for inflation), the twin-tower structure—nicknamed "Limestone Jesus"—exemplifies a New Classical design conceived by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and developed by Arthur and William Zeckendorf. Distinguished occupants include Denzel Washington, Sting, Bob Costas, Norman Lear, influential Wall Street figures, leading corporate leaders, as well as Russian and Chinese oligarchs.
Gross delivers a comprehensive exploration of this billion-dollar project, examining the lifestyle and perspectives of its wealthy inhabitants. Additionally, the book traces the history of property development in Manhattan's Upper West Side and the Columbus Circle vicinity, highlighting the Zeckendorf family's significant involvement. In a discussion with The Real Deal, Gross remarked that "15 CPW stands apart from what Tom Wolfe referred to as ‘the good buildings.’ It redefines what qualifies as a ‘good building.’ It is a condominium, not pre-war, situated on the West Side. And notably, the other distinction lies in the extraordinary prices at which [the units] are sold."
Reception
Roberta Bernstein of USA TODAY observed, "Through an abundance of vivid details, Gross chronicles the transformation of Manhattan's Upper West Side, the histories of real estate dynasties who took risks on its growth, the foreign maritime magnates whose descendants contributed to its realization, and those who popularized ultra-luxury condominiums." A review in Publishers Weekly emphasized the book’s detailed account of how architect Robert Arthur Morton Stern optimized profitability within New York’s intricate zoning regulations, though a substantial portion concentrates on the purchasers: their backgrounds, sources of wealth, and intentions. Kirkus Reviews characterized it as "a sharp yet occasionally monotonous examination of New York’s emergent 'new money.'"