"The Most Famous Woman in China" Asks $28M for a Ravishingly Reimagined Sutton Place Townhouse

“The Most Famous Woman in China” Asks $28M for a Ravishingly Reimagined Sutton Place Townhouse

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Photographs courtesy of The Corcoran Group
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Yue-Sai Kan has been given lots of flattering nicknames, called the “Oprah of China,” “the most famous woman in China” by People magazine, and “the Queen of the Middle Kingdom” by Time magazine. The television personality and businesswoman branches into many spheres, too. For example, she started a cosmetics line that’s now part of L’Oreal and owns the Miss Universe China franchise. Kan also owns residences across the world, with the Wall Street Journal mentioning Rio de Janeiro, Brisbane, and Shanghai as some of the spots she hangs her hat. Someone with deep pockets can now nab her New York City home base in elegant Sutton Place as it’s listed for $28 million.

It’s hard to walk through Sutton Place without passing a place that someone of notable significance has occupied. You may stroll by Anne Vanderbilt’s old digs, architect I.M. Pei’s, or author E.L. Doctorow’s. At Kan’s Neo-Georgian townhouse, she’s just the latest big name to live there. According to Mansion Global, Peter Sprague, an inventor and once co-owner of Aston Martin, and Jean Stein, a late media heiress, are both past owners.

The Most Famous Woman In China Asks 28m For Beautifully Reimagined Sutton Place Townhouse Living Area 1

Photographs courtesy of The Corcoran Group

Adding to the Manhattan mansion’s splendor, Kan put her spin on the 8,500-square-foot home to infuse beauty from many corners of the globe. The Emmy-winning TV host sunk approximately $9 million into renovating it over a five-year period. Some standout new elements include golden dragon and phoenix ceiling murals in the library and sitting room, done by Dutch artist Heather Jeltes. The home’s hand-carved teak front door has also become a “local landmark,” courtesy of exquisite craftsmanship from artisans in Indonesia.

When it comes to entertaining, the dining room fit for up to 24 guests wows with hand-stenciled walls by renowned French painter, Pierre Finkelstein. Add in the 32-foot grand salon and hosting here can’t help but be a grand affair.

The seven-bedroom spread comes at a steep price, but offers a rich New York City lifestyle indeed. Set in exclusive Sutton Square, one can walk right out to the private, 12,000-square-foot Sutton Square Garden for quiet moments overlooking the East River. Carrie Chiang of The Corcoran Group has the listing.