Last week, in the aftermath of the Met Costume Institute Gala, fashion and society buzz boards were atwitter with four words: Sarah, Jessica, Parker, Halston. The Sex and the City star, who was recently appointed the new president and chief creative officer of the legendary American clothing brand, looked eager and adorable, like a sun-kissed, ’70s-styled Barbie (the new kind that don’t topple over due to exhorbitant breast size) in flowing apricot Halston Heritage couture.
Tamara Mellon, Jimmy Choo-ess and co-owner of Halston (father-to-be Harvey Weinstein is also an owner), announced Ms. Parker’s assumption of the role earlier this year. Ms. Parker will be working with the revamped diffusion line, Halston Heritage, but who will Ms. Parker report to? That would be Halston CEO and former president, Bonnie Takhar.
But, according to city records, Ms. Takhar and her husband, Angus Whelchel, director of private capital markets for Barclays, are making some personal acquisitions, and not of the sartorial kind. The couple recently closed on a $3,100,440 unit at luxe, copper-topped 141 Fifth Avenue.
The two-bedroom (the home office could be a potential third) is “just over 1,800 square feet,”
CORE’s Emily Beare, who had the listing, told The Observer, “and it’s on the curve of the building, so it’s quite dramatic.” A little further up on the curve is the extremely dramatic copper-domed cupola, which will house the building’s penthouses.
Ms. Takhar and Mr. Whelchel’s future residence features 10.5-foot ceilings and oversize windows along the corner curve of the building. The kitchen is in the custom English handpainted style with a walnut-and-marble island with handturned balusters and the bathroom boasts wood-framed fluted glass doors, custom mosaic floors and a luxurious freestanding tub.
The listing coos, “These are highly detailed homes for sophisticated palates.” Indeed. Thelandmarked Flatiron building, formerly a bank, has been fastidiously restored, including the ornate 1897 terra cotta detailing and the aforementioned, dramatic cupola. And judging from Mr. Weinstein’s confident praise of Ms. Takhar—”Bonnie’s vision and sense on how to update the brand’s style, while maintaining its classical roots, is second to none”—the former Jimmy Choo chief commercial officer and her new abode seem to be a match made in cupola-covered heaven.
“Bonnie was one of the first purchasers,” Ms. Beare said. “She bought it a while ago, but it took a long time to close because the building wasn’t finished until now.” Now that the condominium-ization of the late-19th-century Beaux-Arts beauty is complete, will Ms. Takhar move in imminently? “Yes, they’ll move in right away!” said Ms. Beare.
Other buyers in the 34-unit building include former Burger King CEO Bradley Blum and In Treatment actress Melissa George. Ms. Beare added eagerly, “In another week they’ll be all done with the penthouses so I can start selling those. It’s going to be the building of the year!”