Robert De Niro's Massive Manhattan Penthouse Hits the Market for $39.8 Million

Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)
Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)

We spend a lot of time focused on ways in which stars are just like us: They go grocery shopping, get married, have cellulite. But every now and then, something happens that highlights just how different their worlds are, like when one of their homes goes on sale for tens of millions of dollars — like Robert De Niro's, right now, for example. (Full disclosure: De Niro doesn't own this pricey piece of property, but he rented it for nearly two years.) But if you do happen to have a cool $39.8 million burning a hole in your pocket, this slice of De Niro-approved heaven can be all yours, according to Curbed and local ABC 7 News.

The duplex penthouse on the West Village's Perry Street clocks in at nearly 11,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and features five bedrooms (the master has two walk-in closets), four full bathrooms (one with its own steam room) plus one half-bath, a library, a solarium, and multiple outdoor terraces that provide complete 360-degree views of the city skyline and Hudson River. Oh, and don't forget a private, seven-car garage, which, the listing adds, can fit 14 cars if you have a valet.

Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)
Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)

It is worth noting that unlike some other Hollywood heavyweights who reside in parking-challenged Manhattan (Jerry Seinfeld we're talking to you), De Niro isn't a known car enthusiast and hasn't shown any particular interest, in public anyway, in building up his own auto collection. In fact, it seems the 71-year-old thesp's most significant involvement with cars of late is that he's rumored to be playing Enzo Ferrari in an upcoming biopic. In other words, it probably wasn't the garage that sold him on the place, but it's safe to say it's also likely that it didn't hurt.

Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)
Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)

According to reports, De Niro and his wife, Grace Hightower, moved into the downtown residence after lint buildup in a dryer caused a devastating fire that pretty much destroyed their Upper West Side apartment — as well as a few of their neighbors' places (oops!) — back in June 2012. The couple was forced to begin a massive gut renovation on the pad, which seems to be still in progress. No word on how their neighbors are making out.

Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)
Robert De Niro's former NYC penthouse (Courtesy of I. Dolly Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate LLC)

If you do manage to get an appointment to view the lavish downtown duplex, however, don't expect to get any glimpses into the star's personal effects. Last September, he and his better half relocated back uptown and are currently living in the ultra-luxe 15 Central Park West until their renovation is complete. They don't own this place, either, though.

The 35th-floor condo in the building dubbed "The Limestone Jesus" (for reasons that escape us) from steel magnate Leroy Schecter. The combined unit spans 6,000 square feet and includes five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a library, a dining room, and sweeping park views and costs De Niro a cool $125,000 per month.

Stars are just like us… except their temporary living arrangements don't involve friends' couches.