The vacant lot was acquired by Zeckendorf Development for US$160 million in 2007.[4] On November 14, 2012, the Zeckendorf family announced the beginning of construction,[5] alongside Israeli billionaire investor Eyal Ofer as a partner.[2][6] It was topped out during July 2013.[7]
Tenants
In April 2015, the government of Qatar acquired four apartments (19B, 33B, 27B, and Penthouse 35) for a combined total of US$45 million.[8] By July 2015, the penthouse, which has an outdoors swimming-pool, was listed on the real estate market for US$70 million.[9][10]
After previously leasing a penthouse at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel for its Ambassador to the United Nations, the United States government relocated the ambassadorial residence to 50 United Nations Plaza. The United States initially rented a 40th floor penthouse apartment, but later purchased a different penthouse on the 37th floor.[13]Nikki Haley was the first ambassador to reside in the 40th floor penthouse, which rented at US$58,000 per month. The 37th-floor, five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bath penthouse was purchased in May 2019 for $15.85 million.[14][15]
In November 2017, Neil and Mindy Grossman purchased unit 29A at 50 United Nations Plaza, for US$5.65 million.[16]
In 2018, a three-bedroom unit in the building was offered for rent at US$19,000 a month.[20] In 2022, six apartments in the building were listed for rent, including the penthouse, which at the time was listed for $75,000 a month; a foreign tenant was in the process of leasing that unit.[21]
In 2020, the Consulate General of Kuwait purchased Penthouse 40 in the building for US$16.1 million.[22]