Howard Katz, a former Goldman Sachs managing partner, sells his full-floor Manhattan apartment to fashion figures Derek Blasberg and Rich Brown in a private transaction.
Howard Katz, a retired managing partner from Goldman Sachs, and his wife, Ellen, an arts philanthropist, recently completed the sale of their full-floor apartment in the Adelaide, a prewar building in Manhattan. The sale closed on February 27, though many details about the apartment itself remain unclear due to a lack of conventional marketing. The Katzes opted for a “whisper listing,” a strategy that bypassed typical internet listings and eschewed public photographs or floor plans, leaving much to the imagination.
While specifics about the apartment’s amenities are scarce, StreetEasy has provided a floor plan of a comparable unit situated one floor below, suggesting that the layout includes a circular foyer with access to a library, kitchen, and living room featuring a fireplace. It is also likely to include a formal dining room, en-suite bathrooms in each bedroom, and windows facing all four cardinal directions.
The apartment has been acquired by Derek Blasberg and his partner, Rich Brown, both notable figures in the fashion and media sectors. Blasberg has an extensive background in fashion journalism, having served as an editor and writer for prominent publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. More recently, he was responsible for forging partnerships with fashion designers for YouTube from 2018 to 2022 and is currently an editor for the quarterly magazine at Gagosian Gallery.
Rich Brown co-founded Imaginary Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Manhattan, which is known for investing in various fashion startups. Among its prominent holdings is Skims, the shapewear company founded by reality TV star Kim Kardashian. Brown played a pivotal role in Skims’ initial funding, contributing to its $4 million seed round in 2019. The brand has since experienced significant growth, reportedly reaching a valuation of around $4 billion as of its last venture round in 2023. Analysts suggest that Skims may be positioning itself for a potential initial public offering within this year.
Imaginary Ventures has also invested in other initiatives, including quarterback Tom Brady’s apparel line, Brady Brands, which merged with Boston-based sneaker company NoBull last year. As the deal for the Adelaide apartment unfolds, the backgrounds of the new owners add an intriguing layer to the story of this unique Manhattan residence.
Source: Noah Wire Services
