Lewis Hamilton, a top Formula One racecar driver and one of the richest athletes in the world with an estimated annual income of close to $50 million, fell victim to the Real Estate Fickle almost immediately after paying a scorching $44 million for the Manhattan triplex penthouse in the beginning of 2017.

The 36-year-old British driver, who was recently knighted, won the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last week and will start this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the clear favorite, never even moved into the 8,900 square foot Tribeca aerie before blowing out with the purchase of another exorbitantly expensive penthouse just a block away. He then flipped the unwanted triplex back on the market just over two years ago for $57 million.

Before some Richie Rich came along and paid $49.5 million for the six-bedroom, six-full-and-two-half-bathroom residence, which is currently the highest price paid this year for a downtown apartment, the asking price was reduced from the exorbitant amount to $52 million because there were no buyers at the high price. According to the New York Post, the buyer’s identity is hidden by an LLC with a Seattle address, and there is a lot of baseless rumor circulating the celebrity gossip grapevine that the new owner is a major tech heavyweight like Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos.

The 20-foot ceiling and exposed wood support beams are elements of the double-height corner living space. The three levels of the penthouse are served by a lift that comes immediately into the entrance. The distinctive kitchen has two dishwashers, high-end finishes, and all the cooking gadgets that $50 million can afford. It is organized around a big counter.

According to the floor plans, the main apartment, which has a private office, a breakfast bar, a walk-in closet, and three and perhaps four visitor bedrooms, is all situated on the second level. The main bedroom’s opulent, windowless bathroom is sleek and stylish. The lounge directly off the living room on the main floor can be easily transformed into a sixth bedroom with a linked bathroom.

The upper level has a sizable area with a wet bar and a bathroom room. Through walls of accordion-fold glass doors, the lounge opens to two terraces, the largest of which is a vast wraparound space with panoramic views of the city and river. Despite the fact that a plunge pool is not specifically mentioned in the marketing brochures, the property comes with two deeded parking spaces in the secure, on-site basement.

Although it’s unlikely that the private buyer got a traditional mortgage, if they had, the penthouse’s monthly expenses (mortgage, taxes, and maintenance fees) would have exceeded $250,000. Nick Gavin was the Compass representative for both Hamilton and the client.

Famous people who wish to enter and exit without being seen by the public or captured on camera by the paparazzi have shown a lot of interest in the elegant, low-rise red-brick building, which was previously a book-binding business in the 19th century. The parking lot inside the building makes that possible. There is also a gorgeous indoor pool, a sauna, and a courtyard garden. A few well-known individuals who now or in the past owned apartments in the building include Mike Myers, Rebel Wilson, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Meg Ryan, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Harry Styles.

Online records show that the Formula One star’s other Tribeca penthouse, which measures more than 6,500 square feet and has four bedrooms and four and a half baths, was purchased in late 2018 for little over $40.7 million. Lewis also has properties in Geneva and London in addition to Monaco, where he reportedly resides most of the time.