[Chapter 31: Buying a Place]
Just now, in the elevator.
Orlando naturally knew that Jennifer Lopez didn't really just happen to run into him by chance. That encounter was something the girl had orchestrated, spending some time and a thousand bucks to create the opportunity.
He hadn't expected this kind of experience reserved for the big shots would come his way so quickly.
But looking at it from another angle--
He was now a breakout sensation, a media phenomenon, a genius songwriter. With his debut release less than two months old, he'd already gone triple platinum.
Considering that Jennifer was still just a Broadway actress in Manhattan at that time, he really had become a major figure.
Before his two bodyguards, Lincoln and Washington, and assistant Diana left, Orlando called out to Diana and instructed her, "Adjust tomorrow's schedule. Help me get in touch with a real estate agent. I can't live here anymore -- I want to buy or rent somewhere else."
Diana paused for a moment but quickly recovered, "No problem! Boss, shall I schedule a three-hour slot in the afternoon to meet with the realtor?"
"That works."
"If you don't have other plans, then we'll be off."
"See you, Diana, and thanks to Washington and Lincoln too."
Orlando waved goodbye as his two bodyguards and assistant left.
He collapsed onto the soft couch in the living room, sinking into thought.
Moving to a different place.
He had thought about this last month.
It wasn't that he wanted to split from Daisy--
That was impossible.
He'd be happy to hold on to those long legs of hers for life.
It was more to avoid getting caught up in rumors.
Because this apartment at the corner of East 78th Street and 1st and 2nd Avenues was owned by Daisy, it was easy for anyone to find out.
Maybe it was the intimidation factor from the Morgenthau and Cuomo families, or just that the paparazzi hadn't caught on yet. The fact that he lived in Daisy's building hadn't been leaked.
But with the midterm elections coming up this year, and Daisy planning to run for office, her political opponents wouldn't hold back any dirt.
So for his own sake, and for the wealthy lady's reputation, Orlando knew very well that he'd better move out as soon as possible.
By now, many obsessed fans and paparazzi had already noticed this place. Given time, it would definitely be exposed completely.
---
"This building was completed in 1985. By New York luxury apartment standards, it's practically brand new!"
The next afternoon, Evan, a top real estate agent in New York, gazed keenly at the currently blazing new star in the music industry.
"It has a steel-reinforced concrete frame, with a classic St. Georgian style facade. What we're about to see next, per your request, Mr. Keller, is a top-floor duplex with a private rooftop garden!
Also, I have to emphasize to you, Mr. Keller, that the residents of this building are very selective. Right now, with unemployment high and mortgage rates unchanged and housing prices slightly down, it's the perfect time to buy."
"Selective?" Orlando was a little curious.
"Of course, it has to pass the review of the apartment committee. They'll check your occupation, income, social circle, and even your lifestyle. It has to be 'compatible with the community culture'. In special cases, you'll need a letter of recommendation from an existing resident or a celebrity." Evan explained.
Orlando knew what was going on. This was considered to keep certain groups out.
He estimated the distance and found that if there was no traffic jam, it would be less than ten minutes' drive from his record company. Central Park was 500 meters away in a straight line, and it takes no more than 1 kilometer to walk there. The location and location were really good.
"How's the security?"
"We have 24-hour security and patrols, and every floor is monitored by a former Marine. We have a 99.9% success rate in stopping outsiders. The lobby and main corridors are monitored. The main door and elevators require card access, and floor entrances are key-locked. We have three levels of security, both inside and out."
Evan is indeed a celebrity agent. The information about this house is readily available.
Evan led them into the lobby, turned into a cubicle and pressed the elevator. "Everyone here has signed a confidentiality agreement, so they won't disclose any information. The elevators are also monitored for safety. If you bought the top floor, Mr. Keller, we can set up a security system. Only with your permission, or by swiping a special ID card, can the elevator reach the top floor."
...
The elevator quickly reached the penthouse floor. The agent wiped the gold-colored door handle with a handkerchief and pushed open the carved wooden door.
"Take a look at this place. It features a 23-foot-high foyer, handcrafted wood trim, plaster reliefs, and a custom fireplace..." Evan pulled back the velvet curtains and sunlight glistened on the gold-leafed fireplace.
"Tch, get someone to scrape off that gold leaf later. Looks like a nouveau riche parade," Orlando frowned.
"Uh... that's 24K pure gold leaf, a complimentary feature from the developer," Evan blinked in surprise.
The agent hadn't expected Orlando to dislike this style of decor. To Evan, Orlando's sudden rise from a poor background to wealthy star suggested he'd like this ostentatious vibe.
After all, Evan had shown properties to hip-hop stars and athletes who loved that kind of style.
But the customer is always right. If the client didn't like it, the agent wouldn't foolishly argue.
"No problem, we can change it. Here, this table can seat 20 people..."
As Orlando looked around, his dissatisfaction with the decor only grew.
The developer clearly had no taste. Everything was trimmed in gold -- the main bathroom's toilet and faucets were gold-plated!
Such a gaudy, flashy style.
Orlando wasn't fond of it.
Besides the overpowering decoration, the rest of the place was just right for him--
No towering skyscrapers surrounding, ensuring privacy; from the windows, most of Manhattan lay sprawled below. The rooftop terrace had a 360-degree garden and pool, which really caught his eye.
He'd been coveting this kind of outdoor space for a long time.
Orlando even thought to himself that he ought to start growing some veggies there. He wondered if they still had sweet potato vines these days. In his past life, that was his favorite.
...
Back in the 23-foot-high foyer, Evan continued with the overall details, "The combined floorspan is 12,900 square feet. The vertical ownership consolidation plan has already been approved by the architectural review board."
Orlando examined the floor plan Evan handed him:
Three levels in total, the top floor was a terrace with a sunroom, outdoor pool, and a 360-degree rooftop garden -- about 4,300 square feet.
The second level housed the master and guest bedrooms, living room, dining room, study, and gym -- also around 4,300 square feet.
The lower level had guest rooms, staff quarters, and entertainment rooms, about 4,300 square feet as well.
Including the staff quarters, there were a total of eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms.
Anywhere in the country, this would count as a mansion.
And the location was no less impressive -- in Manhattan's Upper West Side.
Less than 500 meters from Central Park in a straight line.
...
"If I wanted to renovate the place, how long would that take?"
"Pretty quickly. If you only want to change the decor style and not alter the framework, walls, or stairs, the necessary changes are minimal... but it depends on the designer and contractors you hire."
"Cut the crap. Just tell me straight -- how long?"
Orlando sensed that even Evan didn't fully believe his own words.
"...Alright. Not counting design time, just renovation, it would take about four to six months."
"What if I need to convert one of the rooms into a recording studio?"
"I've worked for a few star singers who did the same in their mansions. A dedicated studio usually takes two to three months to build."
"Damn! Renovations take that long?"
"That's how it is. The workers have union protections. They're experts at pacing themselves to stretch out the timeline, which boosts their paychecks and makes the work easier."
Evan rubbed his hands helplessly.
As a veteran star real estate agent, he was used to hearing complaints about the slow pace of renovations.
And it wasn't just the workers who dragged things out.
Just getting approval for plans often took a month, with final inspections another month...
Those two months weren't included in the renovation schedule.
But Evan dared not tell this to Orlando.
He was afraid of scaring off the star client.
Yet even if Evan kept quiet, Orlando was fully aware of the unspoken realities in real estate.
He didn't press further but began calculating the renovation plan in his mind.
Other than the tacky gold decor, the place had no flaws.
Especially the rooftop garden and pool, the more he looked, the more he liked them.
Once all the gold leaf was scraped off, and the 24K gold-plated fixtures replaced, the furniture swapped for something plain and clean, and the garden redesigned, living here would be very comfortable.
"Oh, by the way," already planning to buy the place, Orlando casually asked, "Which real estate company built this? If I buy another place in the future, I'll definitely avoid that developer to save renovation time. What kind of terrible taste is that?"
"Uh..."
Evan forced a smile and answered, "It's a project developed and constructed by Fred Construction, a subsidiary of the local Trump Group here in New York."
*****
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