Where do you house the United States’ U.N. Ambassador when the palatial suite at the Waldorf-Astoria that long served as the top diplomat’s home is no longer an option?
For Nikki Haley, who was appointed to the ambassador’s job last year, the answer has been convenient, grand and — according to U.N. officials — a bargain compared to the Waldorf, where the 42nd-floor penthouse unit ran for $135,000 a month.
Haley and her family (husband Michael, son Nalin, and dog Bentley) currently live in a condo at 50 United Nations Plaza, the 43-story luxury tower from Zeckendorf Development and Global Holdings that’s just steps from U.N. Headquarters in Turtle Bay, according to the New York Post. The apartment is rented for her by the U.S. Government. (Haley’s older daughter, Rena, attends Clemson University, her mother’s alma mater.)
The ambassador appears to have been living at the 88-unit residential tower since at least March, based on clues from Instagram.
Never fun being under the weather but this one has kept me company. #Bentley pic.twitter.com/seMOLle2Op
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) March 3, 2017
The windows in the Instagram post certainly match those in the 50 U.N. Plaza building. It’s just a question of whether Haley is living in the $58,000-per-month penthouse that was reportedly rented four months ago.
With 5,893 square feet of space, the top-floor unit #PH40H features five ensuite bedrooms and was designed by architect Norman Foster. This is definitely a space suitable for a U.N. ambassador, who has hosted meetings and functions in the NYC residence. (Haley posted other Instagram photos of her apartment’s interior as she entertained during the holiday season.)
Enjoying the holidays with sweet friends…#TisTheSeason pic.twitter.com/sehd3IV4BH
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) December 24, 2017
New digs for the U.N. Ambassador were necessary after the Waldorf was sold in 2015 to the Chinese-owned Anbang Insurance Company. That raised questions of security, although former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power did not immediately relocate out of the opulent Waldorf penthouse.
As the new U.N. ambassador, Haley did not personally choose the location of her new residence. That was confirmed in Congressional hearings last year, when concern arose about the State Department using Trump Tower as the official residence of the UN Ambassador.
Regardless, Haley reports that she and her family are enjoying their New York City digs and experience. And why not? She lives steps from her work, and at the center of world affairs.