By Holly Dutton
Silicon Valley bigwigs in New York City?
It’s been happening the past few years, as tech giants like Google, Apple and Microsoft have taken space in Manhattan, recognizing that the young talent they’re seeking is pulled toward urban settings, and ushering in a new generation of urban-savvy engineers.
Last summer, the Wall Street Journal reported that New York City’s “Silicon Alley” is now home to more than 500 start-up tech companies, like Kickstarter and Tumblr, located on the Lower East Side and the start-up-friendly Flatiron District, respectively.
Google’s Manhattan offices are in Chelsea, while Apple’s offices are nearby at 401 West 14th Street. Microsoft and Amazon both have offices in Midtown West on 6th Avenue, while Facebook’s Big Apple offices are near Grand Central Terminal.
Many executives with the biggest tech companies have palatial homes in Atherton, California, an affluent community in the heart of Silicon Valley.
But for those who live or spend time in Manhattan, where do they call home?
Caroline Bass, a senior vice president and associate broker with Citi Habitats, has helped Google employees find the right pad as well as the founder of the start-up tech firm, YellowHammer.
In every case, her client was less focused on having a doorman or other luxury amenities, and more interested in finding a place near the office.
“They’re spending a lot of time there, a lot of late hours,” said Bass, so living within walking distance is a huge priority.
Ultimately, she helped two Google employees find apartments in Chelsea, within a three block radius of the search giant’s offices, while YellowHammer founder Ryan Hubbard found the perfect spot in the West Village.
So where do the rest live?
Central Park West and The West Village seem to be the most popular nabes for techies at the top of their game.
Below, shortlist of where top tech titans call home in NYC.
1. Jeff Bezos, Chairman and CEO of Amazon
In 1999, Bezos purchased three apartments for $7.65 million in Upper West Side building The Century, at 25 Central Park West, from music executive Tommy Mottola.
2. Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google
In 2008, Brin paid $8.5 million for a 4/bdrm penthouse in the West Village with a 23-foot balcony and a limestone bath with heated floors.
3. Sean Parker, Co-founder of Plaxo, Napster and Airtime, and founding president of Facebook
In January 2011, the 33-year-old party boy billionaire paid $20 million for a 7,500 s/f West Village townhouse dubbed “The Bacchus House,” a nod to the Roman god of wine, by brokers.
4. Omid Kordestani, Senior Advisor to the Office of the CEO and Founders at Google
In March 2008, Kordestani, one of the first employees of Google, paid $29.5 million for an apartment at the Zeckendorf’s price record-breaking 15 Central Park West on the Upper West Side. The 5,416-square-foot apartment has four bedrooms, 6.5 baths and a 405 s/f terrace.
5. Laura Nissenbaum Slabin, Google Executive, Global Brand Strategy and Commercialization
In April 2012, Slabin and her husband Andrew bought an 8-room co-op at 239 Central Park West for $4.17 million. The 4/bdrm, 3.5 bath apartment is located between W. 83rd and W. 84th Street on the Upper West Side.
