Report: Tom Cruise sells (one of) his East Village homes

Through the years, for some reason, we've noted that Tom Cruise has a place (or five!) in the American Felt Building on East 13th Street. This afternoon, The Real Deal reports that the actor is in contract to sell a condo here for $3 million. He bought the 2,200-square-foot apartment back in 1984.

Per The Real Deal:

The two-bedroom unit features a state-of-the-art gym which could double as a third bedroom. Though the 12-story building is known for its loft-like ceilings, the ceilings in Cruise’s 10th-floor unit have been lowered to nine feet, though it was unclear why.

Any ideas why he would lower the ceiling?

Anyway! We had some good times here...





Not sure how much he owns the the building. Page Six reported several years ago that he owns five places here. Other sorta famous people who lived in the American Felt Building have included Fab Moretti, Bret Easton Ellis and one of those guys from the Black Keys.

Previously on EV Grieve:
When 2-3 apartments in the same building just aren't enough

Your chance to be Tom Cruise's neighbor

You can now rent Bret Easton Ellis' apartment in the American Felt Building

Yesterday afternoon, Foster Kamer at The Observer noted that L.A.-based writer Bret Easton Ellis was renting out his American Felt Building apartment on East 13th Street. (Ellis announced the rental via Twitter.)



Here's the listing via Warburg:

This is your opportunity to rent at the famed American Felt Building, one of the best-known and most coveted addresses in the Union Square vicinity. The area where this apartment is located actually includes eight different neighborhoods, as this former factory building is ideally situated at the crossroads of Gramercy, Union Square, and the East & West Village. . . . The food shopping alone makes the area a destination: the original Greenmarket, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods are all only minutes away. The apartment features maple floors, double sinks, 14' ceilings, oversized windows, and a washer/dryer. Building amenities include a common garden off the lobby and a roof deck. Topping it off is a private, exclusive, 400 square foot terrace. This is an open loft. There is no separate bedroom - but lots of open space where you can live the life you love.

[How loud can you play the Huey Lewis and The News here?]

Price: $5,000 a month. And you can see it during an Open House Friday evening 6-7 and Sunday afternoon 2:30-3:30. And you never know who you'll bump into.

Yet another chance to become Tom Cruise's neighbor

Every so often we'll tell you about units available in the American Felt Building on 13th Street near Fourth Avenue where, among other residents, Tom Cruise owns a place or two.

And we have the unit for you via Halstead.

This Fabulous high floor loft residence with open south and west views, in the heart of the Village, steps to Union Square features 12' ceilings, wood floors, wood burning fireplace, oversized master bedroom spacious second bedroom and newly remodeled oversized bathroom. Great gourmet open kitchen. The unit is tastefully decorated and it comes fully furnished. It is located in a well known full service condominium building close to great restaurants,shopping area and all means of transportation. Available immediately for a three to six months term!

And here's what your $8,000-per-month gets you...

(Are those photos of Suri on the wall?)

And we leave you with this real estate-ese left on StreetEasy about the building ...

This building’s name “The American Felt Building” says it all. It really is the one-time home of the American Felt Company, who supplied the hammer and bushing felt for the Steinway piano company, who’s showroom cum concert Hall was one block away back in the day. This was one of the first re-purposed buildings in the area, and remains one of the most desirable: the ceilings are high, the windows are big, the roof deck is wonderful (and under-used) and, not to be overlooked or undervalued, the construction is so solid you will never hear one of your neighbors; they could be playing Lizst on their Steinway piano and you would never know it. The floorplans may seem small, but some creative engineering has turned the loft apartments into unique spaces tricked out with platforms, balconies, extra windows, interior walls, etc. Truly, no two apartments are alike in this building.

What about someone playing the Black Keys?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Your chance to be Tom Cruise's neighbor

Sidewalk shed at the Tom Cruise building on East 13th Street

A reader noted that a sidewalk shed went up last week outside the American Felt Building on East 13th Street ... where, for some reason, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have a place or two. Anyway, nothing all that revealing at the DOB... something like "for installation of spacecraft landing pad." Per the DOB, in their ALL-CAP style:

ALTERATION TYPE 3 - CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT - SIDEWALK-SHED INSTALLATION OF HEAVY DUTY SIDEWALK SHED APPROXIMATELY 26 L.F AS PER PLAN AT 114 EAST 13 STREET. DURING REMEDIAL, WORK SHALL COMPLY WITH 2008 BUILDING CODE CHAPTER 33. NO CHANGE IN USE, EGRESS OR OCCUPANCY.

And, for making it this far, a bonus... Miss Holmes with a drink from Everyman Espresso down the street on Nov. 9.

[Photo by Bauer Griffin]

Your chance to be Tom Cruise's neighbor

As you may know, Tom Cruise owns several units in the American Felt Building on 13th Street and Fourth Avenue ... and when the Cruise clan is in town, here's where they stay... Anyway! There's a new listing in the building for an 1,100-foot, one-bedroom home for $1.2 million...

Per Sotheby's:

Located in Union Square, in a hot village location, this rarely available open and airy 1,180+/- sq ft loft, features a large foyer, living room with a natural gas exterior vent fireplace, dining area, sleek open kitchen with a Bosch Dishwasher, Viking Range and GE Refrigerator, Maytag Washer & Dryer, a master bedroom with an extraordinary bath featuring a double sink, separated toilet area with Waterworks tiles and shower fixtures. This loft also offers beautiful original hardwood floors, excellent closet space, soaring 13 ft ceilings, oversized windows with open City views from South and West exposures and an extra storage room in in the basement designated to the usage of the unit, make this loft a perfect downtown home. The loft is located in the 1909 American Felt building, a full service condominium with a well maintained common roof deck and a garden.

Here are real photos of the apartment with what could be if you were neighbors...







Previously on EV Grieve:
When 2-3 apartments in the same building just aren't enough

When 2-3 apartments in the same building just aren't enough

Tom Cruise has reportedly gobbled up five units in the American Felt Building on 13th Street, where he and Mrs. C have been staying of late. "One they use for a gym, and two apartments are for staff." You may now make a "he must have a big staff" joke. Or not. (Page Six)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Noted (ZOMG edition)

Noted (ZOMG edition)

Yes, yes...several people have told me that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are living in the East Village while she is appearing on Broadway...at the American Felt Building on 13th Street near Fourth Avenue. (Or maybe not!) No shortage of photos of Tom and daughter Suri on the street...here they are on Fourth Avenue via the Vulture.


[Photo by Flynet Pictures]