Ai Weiwei Is Selling Off His NYC Apartment For $2 Million

If a simple middle finger isn’t enough, then this crib owned by Ai Weiwei could be the stuff of your dreams. The catch: It’s on the market for an eye-watering US$2 million—which, to be fair, isn’t that unusual for a New York City apartment.

The one-bedroom unit, listed by property management firm Compass, is described by its realtors as the “ultimate artist loft” with “clean lines and ample space” to “[welcome] the creative mind.” It’s located inside Loft 25, a historical condominium in Chelsea that was constructed before the first war.

Ai’s NYC apartment, white-washed and furnished with minimalist pieces, features a double-height living room, with a generous 1,409-square-foot bedroom, two bathrooms, open space that can be converted to an office or den, and hardwood floors.

In addition to offering views of London Terrace, the home’s ceilings are raised at 12 feet, which one might imagine would be nourishing for the artistic mind.

Currently, the unit is adorned with some of Ai’s artwork, including the 1983 Dancers, a monochromatic painting reminiscent of works by Henri Matisse and Keith Haring, and a trio of Marble Chair sculptures inspired by his childhood in China. Unfortunately, these aren’t a package deal with the condo.

The 79-unit building that once housed the artist’s crash pad includes a zen-inspired courtyard, a spacious rooftop deck, a movie theater, and a fitness center.

It is said that Ai spilled US$1.725 million for the property when he bought it in 2008. You can explore its gallery here.

[via The Spaces and ARTnews, cover photo 106915834 © Denis Makarenko | Dreamstime.com]