So maybe Bloomberg isn't running for President? Or is that just what he wants us to think?
Either way, Hizzoner is reportedly about to buy an historic townhouse on 78th and Madison to house his philanthropic ambitions. The property, designed by Stanford White for old New York biggie Stuyvesant Fish (son of NY Governor, Senator and US Secretary of State Hamilton Fish) in 1897, is going for $50M according to the listing on Sotheby's but the Times seems to think that Mike is getting it for the steal of $45 million (being able to pay upfront and in cash has to help). The building is going to take some work before it can be used by Bloomberg, but then again he does have another three and a half years before he'd need it full time. And bonus, it is a stones throw from his 79th Street town house.
So is this announcement meant to keep the Bloomberg for Prez speculation at bay? Or just meant to remind people that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett aren't the only billionaires who like to give away their money? We suspect it's a little bit of both, but then again we still think Bloomie is running. And anyway, it's nice to see that Bloomberg (who ranked seventh in the county in philanthropic donations last year) continues to be serious about giving away his boat loads of cash.
Pretty building, too.
Photo of 25 East 78th Street from Sotheby's Realty
