The Knicks have made a huge investment in Carmelo Anthony. But sources say Melo isn’t yet ready to invest in New York real estate.
Instead of looking for a place to buy, Anthony is searching for a downtown rental in the $30,000-a-month range. We hear he has expressed interest in a unit at 158 Mercer St. — the same building where Jon Bon Jovi lives and where Bernie Madoff’s son, Mark, committed suicide.
Anthony also has his eye on a rental at SoHo Mews at 311 West Broadway. And he’s considering the West Village too.
Knicks fans shouldn’t read much into the fact that Anthony might be a renter and not a buyer. Athletes, even those in New York for the long-term, often rent trophy pads. In fact, fellow Knick Amar’e Stoudemire is renting a West Village condo for $37,500 a month.
Princess Charles
The glassy, Richard Meier-designed condo building at 165 Charles St. is really getting the royal treatment.
Princess Khaliya Aga Khan, the wife of Prince Hussain Aga Khan and daughter-in-law of Shia Ismaili Muslim leader Aga Khan IV, just rented an apartment in the building for $19,500 a month. Brett Ratner and Ashley Olsen also walked through the unit before the princess snapped it up.
So did Jim Carrey, who, as we reported last week, ended up renting a $25,000-a-month residence nearby at 176 Perry St., which also was designed by Meier. The princess might even be able to look out her window and wave at Carrey. They’re both on the same floor in buildings next to each other.
The princess’ apartment has two bedrooms, 2½-baths, 11-foot ceilings, a deep soaking tub and a private sundeck.
Broker Bill Kowalczuk of Town Residential declined to comment.
Meanwhile, actor Dean Winters, best known for HBO’s “Oz,” recently checked out a $25,000-a-month rental a couple floors up from the princess.
Going, going, Kahn
A mystery Russian buyer has signed a contract to buy Al and Patsy Kahn’s stunning five-bedroom, 62nd-floor apartment at the Time Warner Center for about $20 million. It was originally listed for $33.6 million last year.
A source confirms that their marriage is dissolving. Al — the marketing genius behind the Cabbage Patch doll and Pokémon toy craze — and Patsy made headlines for buying disgraced Ponzi scamster Bernie Madoff’s penthouse at 133 E. 64th St. for $8 million. But that spot just might be cursed: There was a fire there, and the couple delayed their move.
Brown Harris Stevens brokers Brenda Powers and Elizabeth Sample, who had the Time Warner Center listing, could not be reached for comment.
Auction action
The Capo Auction house in Long Island City, whose customers have included Barbra Streisand, Madonna and Mick Jagger, just got bigger — doubling its showroom to 12,000 square feet on two floors.
Ellen Barkin recently bought several items at Capo, including a 19th century Empire-style mahogany sofa and a French mirrored-top coffee table, circa 1940.
Capo also recently sold antique Majolica china and pottery that belonged to Lauren Bacall. The remaining pieces, including a rare teapot, will be showcased in an auction next month.
Cone zone
It’s an ace’s place. Former Yankee pitcher and five-time World Series winner David Cone is buying a condo in the $4 million range at the Lucida. The shiny eco-friendly building at 151 E. 85th St. includes a La Palestra fitness center.
We hear . . .
That it’s a sweet life indeed for DailyCandy founder Dany Levy, who’s renting a three-bedroom unit at 33 Fifth Ave. in the $13,000-a-month range.