Remember the masked Statue of Liberty public health and safety campaign during COVID? Its creator — the public service, nonprofit, advertising and marketing guru Sherry Matthews — is looking to sell her Soho condo at 40 Mercer for $8.49 million, after buying it for $7.8 million in February.
The high-profile building in the heart of Soho, built in 2005, was designed by hotelier André Balazs and French starchitect Jean Nouvel.
Matthews had earlier rented the unit from owner Jacques Essebag — a French TV personality, producer and comedian known as Arthur — and used it as her New York office, plus a place to entertain and cook for friends and clients alike.
“Most New Yorkers love to go out. I love to cook — southern dishes like oxtail and rabbit, cornbread and pie,” Matthews told Gimme Shelter. “I used the apartment as my home and office to get business in New York City and it worked.”
After selling a building in Austin, Texas, Matthews followed her dream and bought the condo, including its Christian Liaigre-designed furniture. But a turn of events brought her back to Austin to be with loved ones.
The 2,200-square-foot corner penthouse-level apartment comes with front and back doors, and a home office — along with 2½ baths and a chef’s kitchen.
Design details include 11-foot-high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and an open living/dining space. A window wall in the living area electronically slides open. Views run from the Hudson to the East rivers, and even include the Woolworth Building.
Black walls help frame the standout skyline views at night, Matthews said. Essebag bought the unit for $7.15 million in 2010 from Andrew Borrok, a lawyer, banker, real estate developer and chef who had sold it at a loss after buying it for $7.4 million in 2008, according to reports.
Past and present residents include actress Meg Ryan and designer Marc Jacobs. Building amenities include an underground garage and entry to the building via a private elevator — along with a doorman, a concierge, a gym, a pool and a landscaped courtyard.
The listing brokers are Fabienne Lécole of Compass and Gabriella Dufwa of Dot Realty.
