NY Real Estate Agency Ads Promote Secret Service as Amenity to Trump Tower Living

A secret service agent looks on as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, in Abingdon, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

DONE.

My first reaction was to laugh, then I just sort of settled into a place of, “Well, they’re not wrong.”

Politico is reporting a bit of New York realty opportunism. Apparently, the Secret Service detail that will be provided to Melania and Barron Trump is being exploited as an added amenity to Trump Tower.

Advertisement

Less than a week after Trump was elected, prominent New York real estate agency Douglas Elliman blasted out an e-mail with the subject: “Fifth Avenue Buyers Interested in Secret Service Protection?” to advertise a $2.1 million, 1,052-square-foot condo in the tower on 721 Fifth Avenue.

“The New Aminity [sic] – The United States Secret Service,” screamed the flier sent in an e-mail on Nov. 13 for a one-bedroom apartment on the 31st floor, represented by brokers Ariel Sassoon and Devin Leahy.

“The Best Value in the Most Secure Building in Manhattan,” it stated.

Good grief.

Honestly, they’re not wrong. While the Secret Service is there for Trump’s family, pretty much anyone living there or in the very near area will fall under that umbrella of government protection, because no suspicious activity is going to be allowed in any area where the presidential family may be put at risk.

This one can’t even be put on Trump, necessarily, so much as it is in the hands of some fast thinking realtors.

There are 16 active sale listings and 16 active rentals in the building, according to Street Easy. Six of the sale listings have gone down in price in the past year, while just one has increased. Six rental listings have gone down, with one increasing. The rest of the listings have been stable.

Debra Stotts, a realtor for Town Residential brokerage, who has worked in marketing for the Trump Organization for 8 years until 2011 and still represents many listings in their properties, said that the appeal of living in Trump Tower is “50-50.”

“Honestly, it’s 50-50 just like the polls, there are those who flee, there are those who are going to the building and want to be associated with Trump as a winner,” Stotts said.

Advertisement

Will Secret Service protection be seen as added appeal?

In an uncertain world, it just may be enough for some buyers to overlook their aversion to Trump, on political grounds.

 

Recommended

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Trending on RedState Videos