When the listing for Brooke Astor's famed New York co-op at 778 Park Avenue hit the market last year it seemed like it would be easily snapped up. After all, the five-bedrom home was considered to be an exceedingly prime New York co-op. But in between expectation and reality yawned an economic crisis that has made even the most choice pricey real estate linger on the market. This apartment hit the market at $46 million in May 2008 and as Max Abelson of the New York Observer reported this week, has now hit a new low, bumping along at $24.9 million, a price cut of $21.1 million.

The home, like Astor herself is a beauty from another era. The co-op's high ceilings, six terraces and five wood-burning fireplaces all invite envy. The home's corner library with gleaming red lacquer walls, a wood-burning fireplace and French doors opening onto two terraces seems redolent of intellect and intrigue. The apartment occupies the 16th and part of the 15th floors of the building which was designed in 1931 by Rosario Candela. A 30-foot gallery has 18th century oak floors and leads to the formal entertaining rooms which include the formal dining room with fireplace. The private quarters include two master bedrooms, one on the 15th floor and one on the 16th floor. The home still retains the service area which consists of a large servants' hall, kitchen and pantry with three maids' rooms and bath. The listing says that this space could be turned into a family room, kitchen, laundry and staff area. With the deep price cut that seems a bit more feasible although the monthly maintenance has increased over the past year. Last year it was at $17,251 and this year it is at $18,458. It's not easy to follow in Mrs. Astor's footsteps.

Actress and writer Tina Fey and her husband Jeff Richmond have picked up a swanky new co-op on New York City's Upper West Side apartment. Cityfile reports that they have bought in at 300 West End Avenue choosing a fourth-floor apartment that includes four bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, library and a living room with wood-burning fireplace.The pair got a deal on the home. It was listed at $4.1 million but the couple paid just $3.4 million.

As the Real Estalker notes, they also own an apartment at 500 West End Avenue that they bought in 2005 for $1.9 million and a small 659 square foot place on W. 85th Street they picked up in 2006 for $550,000 to use as an office.

Today's home is a classic Chicago apartment in a beautiful home on Lake Shore Drive. It also may or may not belong to Oprah WInfrey. The Real Estalker reports that this three-bedroom sixth floor apartment may be the one Oprah was rumored to have picked up in 2006 for $5.6 million. The home has ten foot ceilings, a inner foyer, grand reception, living room, library, dining room, solarium, butler's pantry, wine room, gourmet custom kitchen, laundry room, office/3rd bed, en-suite guest bed and master suite. The pet friendly building has a 24/7 doorman, a work out room, private storage space, and heated garaging for two automobiles. It is listed for $6 million.

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The listing for the much-talked-about Brooke Astor apartment has hit the market. Mrs. Astor, who died at the age of 105 last year was one of the grand dames of New York society. Her home at 778 Park Avenue is considered to be an exceedingly prime New York co-op. The five-bedroom apartment has high ceilings, six terraces and five wood-burning fireplaces. A reception gallery with a wet bar, leads to a living room with a wood-burning fireplace and views up and down Park Avenue. The famed corner library has gleaming red laquer walls (the Real Estalker Mama chillingly described them as looking as if they are "dripping the blood of the under-privileged"), a wood-burning fireplace and French doors opening onto two terraces. The formal dining room also has a wood-burning fireplace and French doors leading out to a terrace. The kitchen includes a pantry, service hall, and three maid's rooms, a set-up which worked well in Mrs. Astor's days but might now be reconfigured into a large eat-in kitchen and family room for today's owner. There is an additional bedroom that can be used as a maid's room or reconfigured to be a second bedroom with ensuite bath. The private quarters include a sitting room with terrace, a separate powder room, and guest bedroom. At the end of the hall is in a corner room with a lovely wood-burning fireplace, terrace, and views toward Central Park. There are 20 closets. This co-op is listed at $46 million.

Only the very, very wealthy can apply to get into the Rosario-Candela-designed 778 Park Avenue co-op. As Max Abelson of the NY Observer pointed out, any potential owner will have to put 100% down and show more than enough cash to pay the steep monthly maintenance of $17,251.

As we mentioned earlier, this stately co-op at 640 Park Avenue which was previously owned by the late Evelyn Annenberg Jaffe Hall has been reduced to $23.75 million. The apartment takes up the entire 11th floor with 6,200 square feet of space. It has four bedrooms, a library, dining room, family room and a marble gallery. The posh apartment has a classic feel with moldings, working fireplaces, parquet de Versailles wood floors and plenty of gorgeous views. After the jump, classic Park Avenue, a gilt drawing room in the sky.
 

As we mentioned earlier in our real estate round-up, NBC personality Stone Phillips is eager to ditch this lovely penthouse. We thought we'd help him out by listing it as our estate of the day. Phillips and his wife recently cut the price on this  two-bedroom, three-level penthouse with views of  Central Park, the skyline and the Hudson River. The apartment has a 300-square-foot terrace with an outdoor sound system and landmarked facade obelisk sculptures. The kitchen has oak cabinets and a heated floor. The dining room has leather paneled walls and the living room has herringbone oak floors an ten-foot ceilings. It is all yours for $4.45 million. After the jump, an apartment as handsome and bland as the anchor himself.