Jake Gyllenhaal just cashed out. He sold his 2,868-square-foot apartment at 443 Greenwich Street for $14 million, a clean exit from a property he bought in 2017 for roughly $8.63 million. That’s a nice little windfall, but it’s happening while the building itself is on fire—legally speaking.
The address is a piece of Manhattan real estate history. Built in 1882 as a bookbinding factory, the building retains its industrial soul with exposed wooden beams and antique bronze doors. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just live; you hide. Jennifer Lawrence, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Reynolds have all used its private entrances and underground parking to slip away from the paparazzi without breaking a sweat.
But the glamour has a price tag. In 2021, the condo board sued developer Nate Berman and architecture firm CetraRuddy for $376 million. The complaint alleges everything from leaks and drainage failures to improperly installed brickwork. Berman and his team deny the claims, but the litigation is dragging on, casting a shadow over the 53-unit luxury enclave.
Gyllenhaal’s move is smart. He bought through a trust, kept a low profile, and now leaves with the profit before the legal dust settles. The 71-foot indoor pool and Turkish bath will have to find new users, but for the actor, the transaction is closed. The building, however, is still in the middle of its worst chapter.