Money

Jennifer Aniston to Buy New York City Penthouse

By Ilyce Glink

Updated on: May 9, 2011 / 3:55 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

It looks like A-list Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston wants to move a little closer to her Friends. After living in sunny Los Angeles, California since 1989, the star is ready for a change of scenery.

Aniston was born in California, but spent some of her formative years in The Big Apple, where she

graduated from Manhattan's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. And after achieving massive success in film and television, most notably as Rachel Green on NBC's long running sitcom, Friends, it's clear that Jennifer Aniston has deep roots in America's largest city.

But her new home will bear little resemblance to the "flea market chic" walkup that Rachel shared with her roommate Monica Gellar. The actress has reportedly entered into a $5.9 million contract for a splashy New York City penthouse.
The 1,200 square foot apartment has just one bedroom and one bathroom, and may seem impossibly tiny by celebrity standards. However Aniston is rumored to be interested in purchasing the unit below as well, with a plan to combine the two spaces into one large duplex with 2,700 square feet of interior expanse.

Even before renovations get underway, the stand alone penthouse boasts a pretty amazing feature that renders the multi-million dollar price tag a relative bargain. An 800 square foot terrace (pictured left and right below) with north, south, east and west views of the New York Harbour and the Empire State Building among other landmarks, is the crowning jewel of the property.

Other features of the West Village apartment include an open-plan kitchen, hardwood and poured concrete floors and four closets. A round-the-clock doorman is on standby to keep away prying paparazzi eyes.

Aniston has said of her planned return to the East Coast, "I've been looking and looking and looking. I grew up here (New York City). I miss it. There is nothing like being in the city that is just the city of Everyman. It's all walks of life - I love that!"

What do you think of Jennifer Aniston's latest real estate acquisition? Would you pay $5.9 million for 1200 square feet, spectacular view notwithstanding?

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Ilyce R. Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.com and The Equifax Personal Finance Blog, and is Chief Content Strategist at RealtyJoin.com, a community for real estate investors.