Mexico's richest man Carlos Slim re-lists NYC's largest townhouse for a record $80M

A more than a century old palatial townhouse owned by Mexico’s wealthiest man Carlos Slim Helu has gone on the market for a record $80 million after a failed attempt to sell the property in 2015.

The Telcom billionaire, who was once listed as the richest man in the world, according to Forbes Billionaire List, is taking another shot at parting with the 20,000 square-foot mansion located at 1009 Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s ritzy Upper East Side.

Also known as the Benjamin N. Duke House, realtors have called the sale a ‘rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history’ and if sold would break the record for the most expensive townhouse ever sold in New York City.

The eight-bedroom, 10 full bathroom mansion, built between 1899 and 1901, boasts city skyline and Central Park views from the terrace and rooftop and would earn Slim close to double the amount he paid for the place in 2010.

A more than a century old palatial townhouse owned by Mexico's wealthiest man Carlos Slim Helu has gone on the market for a record $80 million after a failed attempt to sell the property in 2015

A more than a century old palatial townhouse owned by Mexico’s wealthiest man Carlos Slim Helu has gone on the market for a record $80 million after a failed attempt to sell the property in 2015

The Telcom billionaire, who was once listed as the richest man in the world, according to Forbes Billionaire List, is taking another shot at parting with the 20,000 square-foot mansion located at 1009 Fifth Avenue on Manhattan's Upper East Side

The Telcom billionaire, who was once listed as the richest man in the world, according to Forbes Billionaire List, is taking another shot at parting with the 20,000 square-foot mansion located at 1009 Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side

The Benjamin N. Duke House was designed by the firm of Welch, Smith & Provot in the Italian Renaissance palazzo style with strong Beaux Arts elements.

The first buyer and namesake for the mansion was Benjamin N. Duke, a tobacco, textile and energy industrialist and philanthropist, who owned the American Tobacco Company in 1907.

He and his family lived next door to Henry and Kate Timmerman, professions unknown, who purchased the neighboring mansion Number 1007, while a William Augustus and Sarah Hall purchased Number 1008.

The Dukes didn’t stay very long history tells us, moving to the Plaza Hotel in 1909.

Benjamin Duke’s brother James and his family lived there next, until James Duke relocated to his own new mansion on Fifth Avenue and 78th Street.

Incredibly, a succession of Duke family members lived in the house at one time or another through the 1970s, when it received landmark designation.

Also known as the Benjamin N. Duke House, realtors have called the sale a 'rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history' and if sold would break the record for the most expensive townhouse ever sold in New York City

Also known as the Benjamin N. Duke House, realtors have called the sale a ‘rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history’ and if sold would break the record for the most expensive townhouse ever sold in New York City

It stands tall in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods for NYC's elite and is one of the last remnants of the luxurious mansions along Fifth Avenue facing Central Park that remain in private hands

It stands tall in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods for NYC’s elite and is one of the last remnants of the luxurious mansions along Fifth Avenue facing Central Park that remain in private hands

The eight-bedroom, 10 full bathroom mansion, built between 1899 and 1901, boasts city skyline and Central Park views from the terrace and rooftop and would earn Slim close to double the amount he paid for the place in 2010

The eight-bedroom, 10 full bathroom mansion, built between 1899 and 1901, boasts city skyline and Central Park views from the terrace and rooftop and would earn Slim close to double the amount he paid for the place in 2010

Numbers 1006, 1007, and 1008 weren’t so lucky. ‘The two houses at numbers 1006 and 1007 were demolished in 1972, amid strong protest, at a time when the Landmarks Preservation Commission was unable to hold public hearings and landmark proposals,’ according to a LPC report.

Meanwhile, ‘the much-altered house at number 1008 was demolished in February [1977].’

It stands tall in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods for NYC’s elite and is one of the last remnants of the luxurious mansions along Fifth Avenue facing Central Park that remain in private hands.

‘A true architectural masterpiece, it has been designated a New York City Landmark,’ its listing reads.

Realtors have said its 'unparalleled craftsmanship' would make it a unique and important asset for investors and collectors looking to strengthen their property portfolio

Realtors have said its ‘unparalleled craftsmanship’ would make it a unique and important asset for investors and collectors looking to strengthen their property portfolio

The grand staircase climbs up five levels, with spacious landings featuring large windows. The upper floors feature a skylight and can be reached via an additional staircase. The terrace and rooftop have views of Central Park and the city skyline

The grand staircase climbs up five levels, with spacious landings featuring large windows. The upper floors feature a skylight and can be reached via an additional staircase. The terrace and rooftop have views of Central Park and the city skyline

The property features numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as ample living and entertaining spaces, with elegant marble fireplaces and ornate moldings throughout

The property features numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as ample living and entertaining spaces, with elegant marble fireplaces and ornate moldings throughout

Realtors have said its ‘unparalleled craftsmanship’ would make it a unique and important asset for investors and collectors looking to strengthen their property portfolio.

The limestone and red-brick mansion is listed as a single family home and has over 20,000 square feet of living space and offers grand and spacious rooms, high ceilings, large windows, and an abundance of natural light.

‘The property features numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as ample living and entertaining spaces, with elegant marble fireplaces and ornate moldings throughout,’ the listing states.

‘The impressive grand staircase climbs up through five levels, with spacious landings featuring large windows.

A picture of mansions 1006-1009 Fifth Avenue in 1925. The Dukes were the first buyer's of 1009 and lived next door to Henry and Kate Timmerman, professions unknown, who lived in 1007 and William Augustus and Sarah Hall who lived in 1008

A picture of mansions 1006-1009 Fifth Avenue in 1925. The Dukes were the first buyer’s of 1009 and lived next door to Henry and Kate Timmerman, professions unknown, who lived in 1007 and William Augustus and Sarah Hall who lived in 1008

The home was built between 1899 - 1901. Here, you can see the exterior view of the Benjamin Newton and Sarah Duke house at 1009 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street in 1921

The home was built between 1899 – 1901. Here, you can see the exterior view of the Benjamin Newton and Sarah Duke house at 1009 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street in 1921

Numbers 1006-1009 in 1940. Numbers 1006, 1007, and 1008 weren't so lucky to be preserved - 1006 and 1007 were demolished in 1972, amid strong protest at a time. 1008 was demolished in 1977

Numbers 1006-1009 in 1940. Numbers 1006, 1007, and 1008 weren’t so lucky to be preserved – 1006 and 1007 were demolished in 1972, amid strong protest at a time. 1008 was demolished in 1977

‘Additionally, the upper floors of the residence feature a striking skylight and can be reached via an additional staircase.

‘The terrace and rooftop provide breathtaking views of Central Park and the city skyline.’

Situated on 5th Avenue, one of the most iconic and prestigious streets in the world, this majestic building offers a wealth of shopping and dining options and is a stone’s throw from cultural attractions and entertainment.

The listing suggested several options on how to use the space: ‘The building can be reimagined as a private residence or converted into a gallery, store, museum, or foundation given its prime location across the Met Museum.’ The building underwent restoration in 1985.

Floor Plans for 1009 5th Avenue, New York show two different layout plans. The listing suggested several options on how to use the space including as a private residence or converted into a gallery, store, museum, or foundation

Floor Plans for 1009 5th Avenue, New York show two different layout plans. The listing suggested several options on how to use the space including as a private residence or converted into a gallery, store, museum, or foundation

Slim, whose net worth is currently $90.7 billion, purchased the mansion from the now-late Russian oil titan Tamir Sapir in 2010 for $44 million

Slim, whose net worth is currently $90.7 billion, purchased the mansion from the now-late Russian oil titan Tamir Sapir in 2010 for $44 million

Slim, whose net worth is currently $90.7 billion, purchased the mansion from the now-late Russian oil titan Tamir Sapir in 2010 for $44 million.

The business magnate, investor, and philanthropist Slim and his family control América Móvil, Latin America’s biggest mobile telecom firm.

He is a self-made man, the son of Catholic Lebanese parents who immigrated to Mexico and according to Forbes: ‘Every Sunday his father would give a 5-peso allowance, requiring him to record his purchases in a ledger.’

He studied Civil Engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, known by the acronym UNAM, School of Engineering.

Slim and his family hold a 79 percent stake of Grupo Carso, one of Latin America’s largest conglomerates, accounting for over 8 percent of his fortune.

source: dailymail.co.uk