Keith Rupert Murdoch, the Australian-American media mogul who built one of the largest communications empires in history, called the Flatiron District home from 2014 to 2023. His $57.25 million triplex penthouse at One Madison (23 East 22nd Street) commanded views of Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building.
The One Madison tower at 23 East 22nd Street, completed in 2013, rises 621 feet above Madison Square Park. Murdoch's penthouse spanned the 57th through 60th floors, making him one of the most prominent residents in the neighborhood's history. His presence underscored Flatiron's evolution from a historic commercial district into one of Manhattan's most coveted residential addresses.
| Full name | Keith Rupert Murdoch |
| Born / Died | March 11, 1931 |
| Profession | Media executive, businessman, founder of News Corp and Fox Corporation |
| Active in Flatiron | 2014–2023 (Flatiron District residence) |
| Known for | Building a global media empire spanning newspapers, television, and film; purchasing the New York Post; owning a $57 million penthouse at One Madison overlooking Madison Square Park |
| Key Flatiron location | One Madison, 23 East 22nd Street (penthouse residence 2014–2023) — EXISTS |
| Notable legacy | Murdoch's One Madison penthouse represented the apex of Flatiron's transformation into a destination for global power players seeking Manhattan's most iconic views. |
Who Was Keith?
For nearly a decade, the man who reshaped global media woke up each morning to views of the Flatiron Building. Rupert Murdoch inherited a single Australian newspaper from his father in 1952 and transformed it into an empire spanning six continents.
From Adelaide to Global Influence
Murdoch’s American journey began in 1973 when he acquired the San Antonio Express-News. His 1976 purchase of the New York Post for $30.5 million—the paper Alexander Hamilton founded in 1801—established him as a force in American media. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen on September 4, 1985, specifically to satisfy FCC requirements for television station ownership.
By the time he purchased his Flatiron penthouse, his holdings included The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, the New York Post, and 21st Century Fox’s film studios. The Flatiron District’s evolution from commercial hub to power-player enclave made it a fitting address.
The Man Behind the Headlines
Known for his relentless work ethic and appetite for acquisition, Murdoch reshaped how news is consumed worldwide. His creation of Fox News in 1996 revolutionized cable news. His purchase of The Wall Street Journal in 2007 for $5 billion demonstrated his belief that print media still mattered—if you owned the right publications.
At 93, Murdoch remains active in his companies’ affairs even after stepping down as chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp in November 2023.
Keith Rupert Murdoch's Connection to the Flatiron District
Murdoch’s connection to the Flatiron District centers on One Madison, the sleek 60-story residential tower at 23 East 22nd Street that redefined the Madison Square Park skyline when it opened in 2013.
The $57 Million View
In 2014, Murdoch paid $57.25 million for a four-floor penthouse spanning floors 57 through 60. The triplex offered what real estate agents called one of the most spectacular residential views in Manhattan: the Flatiron Building directly to the south, the Empire State Building to the north, and the full expanse of Madison Square Park below.
The penthouse included a private rooftop terrace at 621 feet elevation—higher than most office buildings in the neighborhood. From this perch, Murdoch could survey a district that had transformed from its Ladies’ Mile shopping heyday into a new kind of power center.
A Neighborhood in Transition
Murdoch’s arrival at One Madison coincided with the Flatiron District’s emergence as a destination for tech companies, media startups, and executives seeking alternatives to Upper East Side formality. The tower itself, designed by Cetra/Ruddy with interiors by Yabu Pushelberg, represented the neighborhood’s new luxury residential ambitions.
The building sits at the northeastern corner of Madison Square Park, steps from the historic Metropolitan Life Tower at One Madison Avenue. Murdoch’s neighbors included other finance and media figures drawn to the area’s combination of historic architecture and modern amenities.
Departure from Flatiron
Murdoch listed the penthouse for $72 million in 2022 following his divorce from Jerry Hall. The property ultimately sold in 2023 for approximately $28 million below asking price [VERIFY exact sale price]. His departure marked the end of nearly a decade as one of the Flatiron District’s most notable residents.
Legacy and Impact
Murdoch’s One Madison residence illustrates a broader transformation in the Flatiron District. Once known primarily for its historic commercial buildings and the iconic Flatiron Building, the neighborhood has become a magnet for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking Manhattan addresses with both history and altitude.
The success of One Madison spawned additional luxury towers around Madison Square Park, fundamentally changing the neighborhood’s residential character. Buildings that once housed toy industry showrooms and garment trade operations have been converted to condominiums or replaced entirely.
For visitors today, One Madison remains visible from nearly everywhere in Madison Square Park. The building’s curved glass facade reflects the park’s trees and the Flatiron Building’s limestone details. While Murdoch no longer lives there, the tower he called home stands as evidence that the neighborhood’s appeal extends far beyond tourists photographing landmarks.
His choice of Flatiron over traditional billionaire enclaves like Sutton Place or the Upper East Side signaled that this neighborhood had arrived as a serious residential destination.
When the man who owns Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post chooses to wake up every morning looking at the Flatiron Building, it says something about this neighborhood. Murdoch could have lived anywhere in Manhattan—he chose Madison Square Park.
Key Facts Worth Knowing
- Murdoch paid $57.25 million for his One Madison penthouse in 2014—at the time, one of the highest prices ever paid for a Manhattan condo.
- The One Madison tower stands 621 feet tall, making it one of the tallest residential buildings in the Madison Square Park area.
- On September 4, 1985, Murdoch became a U.S. citizen specifically to comply with FCC rules requiring American ownership of television stations—enabling his creation of Fox.
- Murdoch's 1976 purchase of the New York Post for $30.5 million brought him a paper founded in 1801 by Alexander Hamilton.
- At its peak around 2000, Murdoch's News Corporation was valued at approximately $68 billion [VERIFY peak valuation].
FIND THEIR LEGACY TODAY
- One Madison, 23 East 22nd Street — Look up at floors 57–60 to see Murdoch's former penthouse; the building's curved glass facade is visible throughout Madison Square Park.
- Madison Square Park, East 23rd to East 26th Streets — The park Murdoch's penthouse overlooked daily; his terrace offered direct views of the Flatiron Building and the Empire State Building.
- Metropolitan Life Tower, One Madison Avenue — The historic clocktower just south of One Madison was part of Murdoch's daily view from his 60th-floor terrace.
- Flatiron Building, 175 Fifth Avenue — The 1902 landmark was directly visible from Murdoch's penthouse, its triangular form dominating the southern view.
Explore More of Flatiron's History
→ One Madison Flatiron – Luxury Living Above It All — The definitive guide to the tower Murdoch called home for nearly a decade.
→ Madison Square Park NYC: What to See, Eat & Do (2025) — The park Murdoch's penthouse overlooked—explore what made the view worth $57 million.
→ Flatiron Building NYC: Why This Landmark Captivates Visitors — The 1902 landmark visible from every window of Murdoch's One Madison residence.
→ Metropolitan Life Tower – Flatiron's Iconic Clocktower — The historic tower adjacent to One Madison that shaped the neighborhood's skyline.
→ Flatiron District History: NYC's Landmark Evolution — How the neighborhood transformed from Ladies' Mile shopping district to billionaire enclave.
In Plain English
Rupert Murdoch is the Australian-American media mogul who built News Corp and Fox Corporation into a global empire. From 2014 to 2023, Murdoch lived in New York's Flatiron District, owning a $57.25 million penthouse at One Madison (23 East 22nd Street) overlooking Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building. His presence at One Madison marked the neighborhood's transformation into one of Manhattan's most prestigious residential addresses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keith Rupert Murdoch
Q: Where did Rupert Murdoch live in New York City?
A: From 2014 to 2023, Rupert Murdoch owned a triplex penthouse at One Madison, located at 23 East 22nd Street in the Flatiron District. The four-floor residence spanned floors 57 through 60 of the 621-foot tower overlooking Madison Square Park. He purchased the penthouse for $57.25 million and sold it in 2023 following his divorce from Jerry Hall.
Q: How much did Rupert Murdoch pay for his One Madison penthouse?
A: Murdoch paid $57.25 million for his One Madison penthouse in 2014. The triplex residence at 23 East 22nd Street included a private rooftop terrace with views of the Flatiron Building, Empire State Building, and Madison Square Park. He later listed the property for $72 million but accepted approximately $28 million less when it sold in 2023.
Q: What companies does Rupert Murdoch own?
A: Murdoch built News Corp and Fox Corporation, which together control The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, Fox News, and publishing houses including HarperCollins. He stepped down as chairman of both companies in November 2023, passing control to his son Lachlan Murdoch. At its peak, his media empire was valued at approximately $68 billion [VERIFY peak valuation].
Q: When did Rupert Murdoch become a U.S. citizen?
A: Murdoch became a naturalized U.S. citizen on September 4, 1985. He took this step specifically to comply with FCC regulations requiring American citizenship for television station ownership, which enabled his purchase of Metromedia stations that became the foundation of Fox Broadcasting.
Q: Can you visit Rupert Murdoch's One Madison building?
A: One Madison at 23 East 22nd Street is a private residential building and not open to public tours. However, visitors can view the distinctive 60-story tower from Madison Square Park, where its curved glass facade is visible from multiple vantage points. The building overlooks the Flatiron Building and represents the neighborhood's modern luxury residential development.