Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons is trying once again to sell his Manhattan penthouse for $11 million. This pad is one of home that keeps returning to the market and keeps going unsold. Simmons almost had the place sold to Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and he was planning to close on Sept. 11, 2001, but the penthouse suffered damage from the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and Combs backed out of the deal. Simmons had the place renovated and dropped the price but still couldn’t sell it in 2005.
The 7,175 square foot penthouse also has almost 3,500 square feet of exterior space which makes it even more surprising that this home hasn’t sold. With 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms the condo includes a huge kitchen with breakfast room, library, staff room with full bath. The impressive upstairs master suite includes a kitchenette and two huge setback terraces offering a magnificent view of the New York skyline from almost anywhere in the penthouse. To try to unload the property this time Simmons is also offering a 1% flip tax payable by the buyer.
Russell Simmons is also the older brother of Rev. Joseph Simmons or Rev. Run from Run-DMC fame. Besides founding Def Jam Recordings Simmons also has a clothing company called Phat Farm, a movie production house, television shows such as “Def Comedy Jam”, a magazine and an advertising company.
Simmons has two daughters from his marriage to model Kimora Lee Simmons, Ming Lee (born 2000) and Aoki Lee (born 2002). The couple married in 1998 and divorced in 2006. Kimora is still involved in the management of the Simmons clothing line.
Simmons is a vegetarian who has stated that he practices a non-religious form of Yoga, where he prays to the Atman, or the self. He is also an active supporter of animal rights, vegetarianism and gay rights.
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