Magician David Copperfield has “vandalized” his $7 million Manhattan luxury penthouse, leaving it in a state of “complete disrepair” that could potentially damage the entire building, a shocking lawsuit claims.
The famed illusionist is accused of moving out of the “previously pristine multi-story penthouse” at The Galleria on East 57th Street around 2018, according to the lawsuit filed by the building’s management.
Photos of the building’s 54th-floor apartment show the “dilapidation and disrepair” described in the lawsuit: a dirty bathtub, stained carpet, peeling paint, gaping holes in the ceiling and more.
The complaint alleges unrepaired water damage to the apartment that is “so severe that it poses a risk to the building’s concrete structure,” promotes the growth of mold and mildew, and poses a significant hazard to other apartments in the building.”
In this skyscraper, the four-year-old son of musician Eric Clapton also tragically fell from a window on the 53rd floor.
A dirty bathtub in David Copperfield’s Manhattan super penthouse
Extensive structural damage can be seen, with gaping holes in the ceiling
David Copperfield, 67, bought the penthouse in October 1997 for about $7.4 million, the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit accused Copperfield of causing an estimated $3 million in damages to the 150,000-square-foot unit and the homes of other tenants. The independent reported.
“After years of trying to resolve this, the board had no choice but to take legal action,” the board’s attorney, Joshua Stricoff, told DailyMail.com.
The lawsuit alleges that Copperfield is attempting to sell the property, but that the condition of the property is in “clear violation” of the board’s bylaws.
“In typical style, Copperfield refuses to face the consequences of his actions and denies all responsibility for the damage he caused to the building and his former neighbors,” the complaint reads.
The carpet shows stains and mold
Peeling off parts of the ceiling
Architects warn that the damage threatens the building’s structure
The Galleria is located on East 57th Street
Copperfield bought the penthouse in October 1997 for about $7.4 million, the lawsuit said.
A spokesperson for Copperfield told The Independent that the photos in the lawsuit “do not reflect the current condition of the apartment” and that the matter will be dealt with in court.