Douglas Elliman Realty, one of the largest independent residential real estate brokerages in the United States, is pleased to announce that Tristan Harper, Associate Broker and one of its consistently top producing agents, has sold and closed a 20,000SF historic mansion located at 854 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, NY, in an all cash, off-the-market transaction, for a full asking price of $50 Million, net to seller. Additionally, the purchaser paid all closing cost, some of which are typically paid by the seller (transfer taxes, broker fees etc.) which added over 11% to the out-of-pocket expense for the buyer.

The Seller -- Successor States to Former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (namely: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia) and the Purchaser – a Limited Liability Company with an address in New York City, signed the contract on 3/9/22 and finalized the closing on 9/27/22.

“The sale of 854 Fifth Avenue, for the first time in over 75 years, opens the next chapter in the glorious history of this property, which was once owned by the granddaughter of scion Cornelius Vanderbilt, and later by the communist leader Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia. The new owner of the trophy building has just purchased a significant piece of New York City’s history,” says Tristan Harper.

854 Fifth Avenue is a 30.5-foot-wide limestone mansion designed in 1903 by architects Warren and Wetmore of Manhattan’s Grand Central Station fame. In1969, it was designated an Individual Landmark of New York City, for its “impressive purity of style which was executed with such finesse and authority.”

A Beaux Arts-style residence features 32 oversized rooms and 12 bathrooms spread on nine levels directly opposite Central Park. Spectacular views from 10 rooms facing the Park include some of Midtown and West Side’s most iconic buildings, both old and new.

Most of the home’s original details remain intact to this day, including two stunning 18th Century French tapestries presiding over the grand winding staircase, 17 fireplaces, hand-carved balustrades made of single pieces of rare Italian marble, gold-leafed boiserie, hand-painted ceilings reminiscent of the Old Europe, paneling from an antique French Chateau retrofitted to this space, and two elevators. There is also an ornate skylight over a two-story high main hall with ceilings 34 feet tall.

The house was built for R. Livingston Beekman who soon after became the Governor of Rhode Island and sold the building to George Grant. The next owners became Henry White and his heiress-wife Emily Thorn Vanderbilt Sloane White, the granddaughter of scion Cornelius Vanderbilt.

In 1946, Josip Broz Tito, the late head of Yugoslavia purchased the house for his country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. In 1961, Tito and the presidents of Egypt, Ghana, India and Indonesia drafted a plan for the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement in one of the main rooms of the mansion. The Movement will grow to become an alliance of almost one third of the world’s nations, during the Cold War.

After Yugoslavia disintegrated in the civil war of the 1990s, the property was “inherited” by the governments of the five Successor States. Following an UN-sponsored treaty, signed in the early 2000s, the property first hit the market in 2017. Two initial offers were not agreed upon due to the complexity of negotiations and internal procedural technicalities among the owners.

In December of 2018, an electric fire almost destroyed the residence and the property was withdrawn from the market. It remained unavailable for showings thru Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

Current purchaser’s full price offer was presented sight-unseen, in 2021. The contract was signed almost nine months later and the closing, which took place in three parts, was finalized on 9/27/2022.

“This was a challenging and truly one-of-a-kind deal which necessitated my multiple trips to the Balkan countries to meet with high government officials, including one of their presidents. The deal would have never happened without the commitment and determination of everyone involved,” remarks Tristan Harper.

Off The Market: $50M Sale At 854 Fifth Avenue

September 29, 2022 by Jeremy Lindy in Real Estate

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Submit Your Listings

Featured

August 4, 2026

This $75 Million Penthouse at Rivage Bal Harbour Has Its Own Longevity Suite

August 4, 2026

Bal Harbour’s final penthouse pairs oceanfront views with an in-home longevity clinic, and it says a lot about where ultra-luxury real estate is headed next.

August 4, 2026

August 4, 2026

Chilston Court Launches Sales as Greenwich's Only New Condo Development

August 4, 2026

Greenwich’s only new luxury condo development has renderings out and sales underway, with a design team pairing RAMSA architecture and Bryan O’Sullivan interiors.

August 4, 2026

Riverdale Mansion on JFK's Childhood Home Site Returns at $5.85M

August 4, 2026

A Riverdale mansion built on the site of JFK’s childhood home is back on the market with a price cut, and it comes with more presidential history than square footage alone can explain.

August 4, 2026

August 3, 2026

Sorin Opens Sales in Hudson Yards With Units From $1.45 Million

August 3, 2026

SERHANT. New Development has launched sales at Sorin, a 40-unit Hudson Yards condo built to Passive House standards with prices starting at $1.45 million.

August 3, 2026

Frank Sinatra's Former Hoboken Brownstone Lists for $3.95 Million

August 3, 2026

Frank Sinatra bought this Hoboken brownstone for his parents in the 1940s, and now the gut-renovated duplex is asking $3.95 million.

August 3, 2026

Featured

August 6, 2026

Exploring the Hamptons: Beaches and Beyond in 2026

August 6, 2026

6. Ramona Singer and Lori Stoll of Douglas Elliman.JPG

August 5, 2026

Ramona Singer and Candace Bushnell Steal the Show at Hamptons Concours d'Elegance

August 5, 2026

Ramona Singer and Candace Bushnell turned up at RAND Luxury’s Hamptons Concours d’Elegance, where Mast Capital, Cipriani Residences Miami and The Perigon hosted a VIP lounge to remember.

August 5, 2026

August 5, 2026

Dragon Fest Team Debuts One-Day Eggcellent Fest in Washington Square

August 5, 2026

Dragon Fest’s team is throwing a free, one-day-only festival devoted entirely to eggs, complete with a 15-foot inflatable mascot and 50-plus dishes.

August 5, 2026

August 4, 2026

This $75 Million Penthouse at Rivage Bal Harbour Has Its Own Longevity Suite

August 4, 2026

Bal Harbour’s final penthouse pairs oceanfront views with an in-home longevity clinic, and it says a lot about where ultra-luxury real estate is headed next.

August 4, 2026

Chilston Court Launches Sales as Greenwich's Only New Condo Development

August 4, 2026

Greenwich’s only new luxury condo development has renderings out and sales underway, with a design team pairing RAMSA architecture and Bryan O’Sullivan interiors.

August 4, 2026

Riverdale Mansion on JFK's Childhood Home Site Returns at $5.85M

August 4, 2026

A Riverdale mansion built on the site of JFK’s childhood home is back on the market with a price cut, and it comes with more presidential history than square footage alone can explain.

August 4, 2026