Exclusive | Drama explodes at Billionaires Row tower as wealthy homeowners sue for chalky water coming from the faucets
New York City’s tap water is famously high-quality — but not in this high-gloss Manhattan tower that’s home to billionaires, according to a new lawsuit.The building that holds the record for the most expensive home ever sold in America, 220 Central Park South, is being sued in Manhattan Supreme Court by its own board over tap water that’s allegedly tainted with elevated copper, nickel and zinc — and that seven years of plumbing failures have gone unfixed.The Robert A.M.Stern-designed edifice is where hedge-fund titan Ken Griffin paid $238 million in early 2019 for a four-story spread, still the priciest residential sale in US history. But now, the building is back in the spotlight for another reason entirely.The case centers on one of the villas in the 117-unit building purchased by 220 CPS International LLC in November 2019 for a whopping $46.5 million.
Its owner, an entity connected to Mexican-Israeli businessman billionaire Daniel Jusidman, has complained ever since about water leaving a “whitish, chalky residue” on kitchen and bathroom fixtures, court papers said.“The Water Issues significantly interfere with Owner’s use and enjoyment of the Unit,” court records say.The alleged headaches include the owner replacing the kitchen and bathroom filters multiple times to allow clear water to flow through.A photo from the suit’s exhibits even show someone holding up a finger covered with what appears to be the chalky residue referred to in the court documents.At present, 220 Central Park South has one home for sale asking $79.9 million for a full-floor dwelling whose bathrooms come clad in marble and whose kitchen has “bespoke detailing,” according to its listing.But, for the owner of this unit now suing the building, those experiences in his own spaces have been anything but.“After approximately seven years of experiencing Water Issues and hearing nothing but excuses and promises from the Board, Owner was left with no other choice but to...