Days after the Trump administration yanked New York Representative Elise Stefanik’s nomination to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, it remains to be seen who will move into the sprawling $15.85 million Manhattan penthouse the government purchased to serve as the home for that ambassadorship.
The full-floor apartment at 50 United Nations Plaza, located on the 37th floor of the luxury Midtown Manhattan tower a stone’s throw from the UN building, was acquired in 2019 during Trump’s first term to be the official ambassadorial residence. Today, it remains one of the priciest government-owned apartments in the U.S. At roughly 5,900 square feet, the home comes out to $2,689 per square foot.
The Context
Stefanik, who had been nominated to the post by Donald Trump following the 2024 election, was expected to move into the apartment shortly after he confirmation, which had been delayed to ensure Republicans in the House didn’t lose her critical vote. She had already taken part in a Cabinet-level meeting and was hosting what local press called a “farewell tour” in her upstate New York district.
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But last week, her nomination was unexpectedly withdrawn by the Trump White House amid fears that vacating her House seat could jeopardize the Republican Party’s narrow majority in Congress. “There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress.”
The hunt for a new UN ambassador, considered one of the most plum jobs in any administration, continues.
What to Know
The penthouse on Manhattan’s East Side features five bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, and two staff bedrooms. Floor plans show dedicated entertaining spaces, including a formal dining room, a library with bay windows, a family room and a living room with sweeping views of the East River and the UN complex.
50 United Nations Plaza
It also includes an expansive kitchen with dual Sub-Zero refrigerators, two wall ovens, and Miele dishwashers. Designed by Foster + Partners, the building provides luxury amenities such as a gym, steam room and a 75-foot indoor swimming pool.
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50 United Nations Plaza
Originally listed for $24.25 million, the government bought the unit at a roughly $8.4 million discount, according to a 2019 report by Realtor.com. It was intended to serve as a permanent residence for U.S. ambassadors to the UN, replacing the rental arrangements of previous envoys.
50 United Nations Plaza
The U.S. residence is also just one floor down from another full-floor penthouse bought by the British Consulate for $15.9 million. New Zealand also owns a 3,000-square-foot, $7.9 million unit—intended for the head of its mission to the United Nations.
50 United Nations Plaza
The apartment and its location offer an ideal setting for the next ambassador to host diplomatic meetings and social events. While Nikki Haley didn’t live in the penthouse, she resided in the same building during Trump’s first term, and her apartment often served as a hub for cocktail-party diplomacy.
50 United Nations Plaza
However, her stay wasn’t without controversy. A 2018 New York Times report revealed that the State Department spent $52,701 to install custom mechanical curtains as part of a renovation of her $58,000-a-month rental. The Times story created a flap at the time and was later corrected to clarify that it was the Obama administration that made the renovations.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Truth Social: “The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People. Speaker Johnson is thrilled!”
Representative Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, on X: “If the Administration’s action were popular, then they wouldn’t have pulled Stefanik’s nomination. But what Trump is doing is not popular. It’s bats** crazy. Americans are fed up with the incompetence, lying, and illegal behavior. That’s why Dems keep winning special elections.”
What Happens Next
Whether the next ambassador—whoever that may be—will actually occupy the apartment remains unclear. For now, the most exclusive address in American diplomacy stands empty, its intended resident sidelined by the tough math of congressional politics.
