Once upon a time, on the bustling streets of New York’s Fifth Avenue, there stood a magnificent pre-war apartment house with a Hollywood past.
It was on the 12th floor of this dignified 14-story building that Hollywood’s beloved power couple, Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, once owned an eight-room cooperative apartment.
This opulent residence, infused with a panoply of colours and sprinkled with a touch of Hollywood fairy dust, was a sight to behold.
In 1997, at the peak of their fame and love, Ryan and Quaid acquired this treasure for $3.1 million, according to Dirt.com.
The apartment boasted three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, and six oversized windows offering breathtaking views across Central Park and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.
An additional seven windows provided delightful oblique park views. It was a home fit for stars.
Alas, as life often unfolds, their paths diverged, and they decided to part ways.
Their son, Jack Quaid, took up residence in the apartment for a few years, but eventually, the couple decided to sell the place in 2001, shortly after their divorce, reportedly for around $6.75 million.
The apartment, once filled with laughter and love, would now become a haven for others.
Over the years, the home exchanged hands, welcoming new owners and weaving their stories into its tapestry.
Among them was Bokara “Bo” Legendre, a textile heiress and performance artist, and later, banker Marsh Carter, Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange Group, who sold the apartment in 2017 for $6.5 million.
Through all these transitions, the apartment retained its classic details, lovingly preserved by its occupants.
Arched and panelled doorways, inlaid wood, parquet floors, and intricate coved and wedding cake mouldings added an air of sophistication to the space.
The entrance gallery, with its suede-covered walls, welcomed visitors into the home’s colourful wonderland.
Each room boasted a unique monochromatic scheme, adorned with bits and bobs of other colours inspired by neighbouring spaces.
From the minty-green living room with cerulean upholstery to the baby-blue primary bedroom overlooking the city and park, every corner held its own charm.
The dining room, dressed in emerald-green walls mirroring treetop hues, doubled as a TV lounge.
A whimsical black-and-yellow powder room added a touch of playfulness, while trompe l’oeil wallpaper in the foyer created an illusion of bookshelves filled with stories.
As the apartment once again graced the real estate red carpet, it was listed for sale with Karen Kelley at Compass, commanding a price of $7.4 million.
A prestigious address, a history steeped in star-studded glory, and its unique blend of classic and contemporary design elements made it a sought-after gem.
While Ryan and Quaid had moved on to new chapters in their lives—one embracing contemporary living in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades and the other finding solace in the serenity of Montecito—their former New York abode stood as a testament to the moments they once shared within its walls.
And as the apartment’s doors opened to potential buyers, the allure of a residence once graced by Hollywood royalty beckoned, ready to embrace new dreams and create fresh memories in its vibrant embrace.
