Canada drops $9M on NYC luxury condo for consul general's official residence

CTV National News: Clark grilled over $9M condo Genevieve Beauchemin reports on the grilling Canada’s consul general Tom Clark received over the purchase of a $9M NYC condo.

OTTAWA — Canada spent $9 million last month to buy a luxury condo in Manhattan for the official residence for its consul general in New York but the federal government is refusing to say what is being done with the old property.

Global Affairs Canada was forced to admit it was behind the purchase after some New York real estate gossip reported that the condo deal was done for King Charles himself.

The deed for the property shows it was listed for more than US$6.6 million and was sold last month to "His Majesty the King in right of Canada."

That prompted some local media to report that a royal purchase had been made, including the New York Post which ran a story headlined King Charles buys luxe NYC condo on Billionaires' Row.

Global Affairs then moved to correct the notion telling the Post that the King won't be the one using the residence.

A spokeswoman told The Canadian Press that the purchase will ultimately save Canadian taxpayers $2 million.

Charlotte MacLeod said the old residence — which property listings show is located at 550 Park Avenue — isn't up to code and doesn't meet the department's standards.

Renovating it would have required "significant investments" since it was last refurbished in 1982, MacLeod said.

"Considering the high renovation costs for the current residence and the value of the property, Global Affairs Canada recommended a relocation to a new, smaller, more suitable, and more economical apartment," she said.

Global Affairs Canada did not respond to repeated questions about what it plans to do with the old residence.

The new condo is in Steinway Tower, a building known as the world's thinnest skyscraper, and is just steps from Central Park.

A listing for the new unit shows it has three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, as well as a wet bar, a powder room finished in jewel onyx and — as Canadian officials ramp up their entreaties ahead of the upcoming U.S. election — plenty of space for entertaining.

The official residence is used for diplomatic activities which include networking receptions, official briefings, and hospitality events such as discussions with business and political leaders.

Tom Clark, a former journalist, was appointed as Canada's consular general to New York in February 2023 by Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. Her office did not respond to a request for comment on the property purchase.

Opposition Conservatives are unconvinced that there was a need for the luxury condo, as Canada deals with a housing crisis.

"While Canadians can’t afford a home because the Trudeau government has doubled housing costs, Justin Trudeau has spent $9 million on a luxury apartment on Billionaires Row for his retired media buddy that he appointed Consul General," Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer said in a statement.

"This perfectly reflects the past nine years of Trudeau’s government where everyday Canadians are constantly punished by his inflationary policies but his friends and Liberal insiders are doing better than they ever have.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2024.