Brooklyn's Priciest Home Sale Ever Closes Virtually

Go figure. With the city all but shut down by the coronavirus pandemic, and with home listings plunging by 90 percent, a buyer has plunked down $20.3 million for a Brooklyn Heights penthouse, by far the priciest home in the borough's history – and the closing was completed virtually.

The combination unit is at Quay Tower, a 30-story condo on the East River waterfront. The $20.3 million figure smashes the old King’s County record set by actor Matt Damon, who snagged a $16.7 million penthouse at the Standish in Brooklyn Heights, the New York Post reports.

Due to the restrictions COVID-19 has placed on in-person gatherings, the record-setting penthouse sold via a virtual closing. “It’s inspiring how our industry has adapted so quickly with virtual closings,” says Douglas Elliman’s Andrew Anderson, who facilitated the sale. “I’m thrilled we can continue to schedule closings and our buyers can move into their homes on the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park.”

This 7,433-square-foot penthouse includes a 1,179-square-foot terrace. Its unobstructed views of the Hudson and East Rivers along with the Manhattan skyline are “absolutely insane,” a source said in the fall of 2018.

Along with the extraordinary views, the buyer, whose identity is protected by a limited liability corporation – was taken with the ferry stop at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park — it’s a 14-minute commute to Wall Street by boat — as well as the East River-front green space’s five themed playgrounds and the marina. Building amenities (to be enjoyed when groups can once again congregate, of course) include two rooftop indoor/outdoor entertainment lounges, a 2,500-square-foot gym with Peloton bikes, a children’s playroom and a music practice room. Gleason’s Boxing Gym will also offer private and group classes for residents at a specially built Quay Tower outpost.