After more than a year on the market, the previous home of Canada’s consul general in New York remains unsold and has now been relisted with a price reduction of over $2 million. The vacant 12-room, five-bedroom apartment on Park Avenue was initially listed in August 2024 for over $13 million. It is now showcased on various New York real estate websites for $7.9 million US, which is approximately $10.9 million in Canadian currency.
Last summer, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) purchased a new apartment to serve as the official residence for Canada’s consul general in New York, a role currently held by veteran journalist Tom Clark since February 2023. The new residence, situated on “Billionaires’ Row” near Central Park, was acquired for around $9.1 million.
Since the public disclosure of the purchase of the new luxury apartment in July 2024, opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have criticized the acquisition as extravagant, particularly in light of the financial challenges faced by Canadians. However, the Liberal government defended the decision to sell apartment 12 E at 550 Park Avenue, stating that it was no longer suitable for its intended purpose and that the proceeds from its sale would cover the cost of the new official residence.
MPs on the House of Commons government operations and estimates committee raised concerns before the federal election, labeling the expenditure on the new luxury condo for the prime minister’s “media buddy” as wasteful. The committee has conducted hearings with real estate experts, GAC staff, former foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly, and Tom Clark.
A spokesperson from GAC informed CBC News that the pricing adjustment of the former residence was advised by their contracted real estate broker to enhance its competitiveness in the market while ensuring savings for Canadian taxpayers.
GAC officials explained to the committee that the new condo is more suitable for hosting diplomatic functions due to its smaller size. The old property, purchased in 1961 and last updated in 1982, no longer met accessibility standards and required significant infrastructure upgrades. After evaluating various options, GAC opted to purchase the new apartment on the 11th floor of 111 West 57th Street, which is expected to have lower annual operational costs compared to the previous residence.
Both Clark and Joly clarified to the committee that they were not involved in the decision-making process regarding the purchase of the new official residence.
