Word came from the broker that if the renovation proceeded, the rent would rise to $2,000.
And even though the renovation proceeded in stages, with corners cut left and right, the costs seemed prohibitive.
The owner, Nelson Estrada, had intended to make it his private home, but as the renovation proceeded he changed his mind.
In the coming months, as the renovations proceed through the upper floors, the size of the butler department is expected to double.
At the time, Mr. Koons's broker, Roger Erickson of Sotheby's International Realty, told brokers that Mr. Koons was interested in buying a house in move-in condition while renovations proceeded next door.
The famous exterior of the structure, however, was buttressed and retained while the renovations proceeded inside.
Most of the renovation work proceeded smoothly, but shortly after the roofing contractor left, the Kaplans noticed ridges in the roof.
Another motivation, more akin to the case in point, is to embrace a strategic withdrawal to the foundations to determine how renovation should proceed on a structure that is threatening to collapse due to internal inconsistencies.
Tickets, $150; proceeds benefit renovations of the fields and facilities at Randalls and Wards Island Park.
The foundation will dedicate a portion of the proceeds to the renovation of Mr. Domino's publishing office, adjacent to his spacious house in the Lower Ninth Ward, which was severely damaged by the flooding after Katrina.
