‘I don’t have the need for this type of space': Denise Rich puts Manhattan's most expensive co-op on the market for $65m

It has seven bedrooms, eleven baths and a space so large it once housed its very own ice skating rink.

But that has not stopped eyebrows being raised after songwriter Denise Rich put her apartment on the market - for a cool $65million.

The property has become the most expensive co-op in New York - no mean feat in itself - thanks to its opulent luxury and sheer size.

Up for grabs: Manhattan's most expensive co-op apartment is up for sale by songwriter Denise Rich for a cool $65 million

Up for grabs: Manhattan's most expensive co-op apartment is up for sale by songwriter Denise Rich for a cool $65 million

Birds-eye: The view of the plush 5th avenue apartment seated on the southeast corner of New York's Central Park, stretches straight across the rocky green and as well provides a birds-eye view of the Plaza Hotel's roundabout

Birds-eye: The view of the plush 5th avenue apartment seated on the southeast corner of New York's Central Park, stretches straight across the rocky green and as well provides a birds-eye view of the Plaza Hotel's roundabout

Outgrown: Ms Rich reasons that her life has outgrown the property, being too large for her now that her two daughters have moved away

Outgrown: Ms Rich reasons that her life has outgrown the property, being too large for her now that her two daughters have moved away

At 12,000 square feet it is big enough that she once converted one of the three terraces into a professional grade figure skating rink for a party.

Stevie Wonder once serenaded her on her baby grand piano and Celine Dion has dropped by for a session at the apartment’s recording studio.

But after many happy years taking in the grand views of Central Park from the stunning Fifth Avenue duplex, Rich, who used to be married to controversial financier Marc Rich, has decided to downsize.

The 67-year-old feels that the formal dining room for 22, the media room, billiards room, gym, library with a fireplace and grand salon - on top of everything else - is too much for one woman.

Now that her two daughters have moved to Europe - she lost a third to leukemia - she is looking for something more manageable.

Rich told the New York Post: ‘This apartment has been an incredible home.

Room for more: At 12,000 square feet and featuring a dining room seated for 22, the property expands outside to three terraces including one on the rooftop with a capacity of 200

Room for more: At 12,000 square feet and featuring a dining room seated for 22, the property expands outside to three terraces including one on the rooftop with a capacity of 200

Celebrity success: Ms Rich's successful career as a song writer invited Stevie Wonder to the 19-room home where he performed on her baby grand piano

Celebrity success: Ms Rich's successful career as a song writer invited Stevie Wonder to the 19-room home where he performed on her baby grand piano

Supporting career: In her profession Ms Rich has written hits for Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Dion, Jessica Simpson, Marc Anthony and the international hit ¿Candy¿ by Mandy Moore

Supporting career: In her profession Ms Rich has written hits for Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Dion, Jessica Simpson, Marc Anthony and the international hit ¿Candy¿ by Mandy Moore

FOR $65 MILLION YOU COULD GET:

  • 7,222 nights, or 19 years, at the Five-Star Carlyle Hotel in New York at $9,000 a night
  • 310 homes in Brownsville, Texas, the cheapest place to live where a typical property is $209,177
  • 363,000 acres of land in Wyoming where it costs $179 an acre - equivalent to more half the country of Luxembourg.
  • 650 Brand New Porsche Carrera 911 cars at $100,000 each
  • 10 Black Hawk helicopters as used in the raid to kill Osama bin Laden at $6.5million each

‘I don’t have the need for this type of space. My greatest hope is that the next family loves and enjoys this home as much as we did.’

Rich’s ex-husband Marc was an international fugitive and was due to go on trial for alleged illegal oil deals before controversially being pardoned by former President Bill Clinton on his last day in office.

She has a highly successful career in her own right and she has written lyrics for hits like Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Dion, Jessica Simpson, Marc Anthony and the international hit ‘Candy’ by Mandy Moore.

The property listing for 785 Fifth Avenue details the three outdoor terraces including one on the rooftop with a capacity of 200.

The property is designed by Emery Roth and has three kitchens, marble floors, 11' ceilings and custom mahogany doors.

The dining room can seat 22 and is conveniently located next to the chef’s kitchen.

All in all there are 19 rooms including the the Master Suite which comes with gas fireplace, two full en-suite bathrooms, sitting room and closets ‘beyond imagination’.

Rooms: With seven bedrooms, the lavish home also features a media room, billiards room, gym, library with a fireplace and grand salon

Rooms: With seven bedrooms, the lavish home also features a media room, billiards room, gym, library with a fireplace and grand salon

Space for fun: With his enormous size, Ms Rich once converted just one of the three terraces into a professional grade figure skating rink for a party

Space for fun: With his enormous size, Ms Rich once converted just one of the three terraces into a professional grade figure skating rink for a party

Recording studio: Singer Celine Dion had previously stopped by to perform in the apartment's very own recording studio shown

Recording studio: Singer Celine Dion had previously stopped by to perform in the apartment's very own recording studio shown

In addition to the enormous cost, the new buyer will have to find $25,000 a year in service fees for the building.

The listing says the apartment is ‘the largest-ever offering of a Penthouse on Fifth Avenue is the epitome of luxury and grandeur.’

It adds that the home is ‘truly incomparable’.

Buyer beware: In addition to the multimillion dollar cost, the new buyer will have to find $25,000 a year in service fees for the building

Buyer beware: In addition to the multimillion dollar cost, the new buyer will have to find $25,000 a year in service fees for the building

Grand scale: The property designed by Emery Roth has three kitchens, marble floors, 11' ceilings and custom mahogany doors

Grand scale: The property designed by Emery Roth has three kitchens, marble floors, 11' ceilings and custom mahogany doors

Despite the $65million price tag, Rich’s apartment is not the most expensive in all of New York.

That honour belongs to the penthouse owned by Citigroup Chairman Sandy Weill’s at 15 Central Park West which went for $88million, the equivalent of $13,000 per square foot.

Weill has bought the 6,744 triplex five years ago for $43.7million.

Luxurious necessities: In addition to the elite Central Park view, the luxury property features 19 rooms total including the Master Suite complete with a gas fireplace, two full en-suite bathrooms, sitting room and closets described as 'beyond imagination'

Luxurious necessities: In addition to the elite Central Park view, the luxury property features 19 rooms total including the Master Suite complete with a gas fireplace, two full en-suite bathrooms, sitting room and closets described as 'beyond imagination'

Neighbours: The most expensive penthouse in the city faces directly opposite of Ms Rich's on the west side of Central Park, owned by Citigroup Chairman Sandy Weill that sold for $88million

Neighbours: The most expensive penthouse in the city faces directly opposite of Ms Rich's on the west side of Central Park, owned by Citigroup Chairman Sandy Weill that sold for $88million