New York's Most Expensive Rental Apartment: Look Familiar?

{A Photo of the Master Bedroom from the Real Estate Listing}

The other day, I came across an image on Pinterest which linked back to an article on the Huffington Post website about New York's most expensive rental apartment clocking in at a cool $165,000 per month. I immediately recognized it as the same apartment Steven Gambrel decorated at the Waldorf Astoria, the Astor Suite, which was published in ELLE DECOR last year. Coincidentally, the master bedroom was my favorite space published in ELLE DECOR in 2013! It's always fun to see professionally-shot photos for a publication versus images from a real estate listing. I find that the spaces usually look better when they are shot for publications because they aren't flooded with artificial light. 

The apartment is 5,087 square feet and blends all of the modern amenities that even the most discerning person may come to expect, as well as a storied past. It has been the home of John Jacob Astor, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor {aka Wallis and Edward), and John F. Kennedy. I don't know if this apartment still holds the title for most expensive rental in Manhattan, but it is a truly posh and pedigreed residence either way. I just can't imagine spending that much on a home that I did not own. To each his own!

{The Master Bedroom as seen in ELLE DECOR}

{The Beautiful Canopied Bed}

{The Sumptuous, Marble-Clad Master Bathroom}

{This is such a great use of a flexible space. It can function as a study/guest bedroom or as a TV room/guest bedroom, which seems to be the intended use from the furnishings.}

{This dark, gray marble bath is masculine, yet glamorous.}

{The living room features two distinct seating areas.}

{The library features a beautiful, original fireplace.}

{I love the clean, pared down elegance of the kitchen.}

{Frankly, I don't love the furniture in the dining room, but it's a rather large space featuring a beautiful fireplace with a marble mantle. The oversized portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth is fantastic.}

What are your thoughts on this space? Are there any particular rooms that you like? If money were no object, would you ever spend $165,000 per month on a rental rather than buying a place?