Built in 1889 as the first high-rise west of the Mississippi, Ritz Carlton Club and Residences in San Francisco is one of the most wanted location among many millionaires. Nevertheless, one tech magnate decided get rid of the 3,063-square-foot two-story penthouse inside the Ritz Carlton Residences. YouTube co-founder Steve Chen has listed his two-bedrooms and 2.5 baths duplex for $8 million!
Chen purchased the place in 2007 for $4.85 million, when it was “just an empty shell,” and spent 21 months working closely with noted architect Joel Snader to turn it into a “tech lovers dream home.” There’re many interesting high-tech amenities, such as glass wall in the master suite, that separates the bedroom from the master bathroom , and one touch of a button turns the glass from clear to frosted. Other details include “hanging bubble chair”, personal theater, climate control, iPad control capability. Since the penthouse is inside the Ritz Carlton Residences, buyer can count on the gym and 24/7 concierge.
Chen said that one of his favorite features of the penthouse are the three televisions that hang side-by-side in the living room. “You are able to watch CNN with the front speakers, keep up with the SF Giants with the rear speakers, then for the last monitor, you still have the weather station, ESPN, the PlayStation 3 etc on all at the same time.”
Chen is selling this amazing place because he recently had a second child, and his family needs more space, so they want to move to the suburbs of the South Bay. [Sotheby’s]
