Canadian government buys new condo for consul general in New York

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) told CBC News Friday that it recently purchased a lavish three-bedroom condo in New York to be used as the official residence for the Consulate General of Canada in New York.

The purchase was first reported by Crain's and The Real Deal, a real estate news organization. On Friday, the New York Post reported the condo cost $6.63 million US, roughly $9 million Cdn.

The 3,600-square-foot condo is at 111 West 57th Street, also known as Steinway Tower, in midtown Manhattan. The building is one of several luxury skyscrapers in an area known as Billionaires' Row.

According to an online listing, the condo's "elegant entry foyer offers white macauba stone floors, and the stunning powder room is finished in jewel onyx.

"A spacious living room provides southern exposure and custom smoke gray oak floors in a parquet pattern, while the adjacent dining room provides eastern exposure and plenty of space for entertaining."

Residents of the building also have access to an on-site padel court, a golf simulator and a children's play room.

Canada's consul general in New York provides diplomatic services to Canadians abroad, including passport, visa and immigration services. The consul general's office can also notarize documents, provide immigration services for foreign study and help Canadians vote from abroad.

In a statement, GAC said it provides residences to the "Heads of Mission," which include ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls general, based on a "real property policy" that considers the importance of the mission in the network.

"The residence currently used for the Head of Mission and Consul General in New York was purchased in 1961," GAC said. "Last refurbished in 1982, the apartment does not meet new building codes nor the GAC's standards."

GAC said modernizing the existing residence, which is located on Park Avenue, would require "significant investments." It instead recommended relocating to a "new, smaller, more suitable, and more economical apartment."

"In addition of representing a saving opportunity of Cad 2M$+ for Canadian taxpayers, it will also reduce ongoing maintenance costs and property taxes, supports future program needs, and meets representational requirements," GAC said.

The New York Post originally reported King Charles purchased the unit, as records it obtained listed the new owner as "His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, Represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs."

A follow-up report included a comment from Robert McCubbing, senior trade commissioner and director of trade and investment at the Canadian consulate in New York, who said listing King Charles III is standard procedure as he is Canada's head of state.

McCubbing also said King Charles would not use the residence himself.

The current Canadian consul general in New York City is Tom Clark, who was a longtime broadcast journalist at CTV News and Global. He was named to the post in February 2023.

In a statement sent to CBC News Friday night, the Conservatives criticized the purchase. 

"This perfectly reflects the past nine years of Trudeau's government where everyday Canadians are constantly punished by his inflationary policies but his friends and Liberal insiders are doing better than they ever have," said a statement attributed to Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer.

CBC News has reached out to Clark and the Consulate General of Canada in New York and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly for comment.