Linda Macklowe, the estranged wife of Harry Macklowe, the developer behind Macklowe Properties and 432 Park, have battled over a $2 billion divorce largely in the public eye since Linda filed in June 2016. In September 2017, Linda sued both Macklowe Properties and CIM Group after she found that the developers had filed plans to reduce the size of her reserved 78th floor unit which she is under contract to close on for $14.4 million. Linda Macklowe held that the developers were trying to force her to close on the unit for the same price despite the downsize. The unit is adjacent to her estranged husband Harry's unit which is also on the 78th floor, the space subtracted from Linda's unit was added to Harry's. On Tuesday December 19, Judge David Cohen granted a preliminary injunction which orders the developers to withdraw their amended plans if Linda Macklowe decides to move ahead with the purchase. Should she decide not to purchase the unit, the developers must return her $2.16 million deposit. Linda Macklowe must decide within 60 days if she will walk or close on the apartment. Both parties spun the judges decision as a victory as Harry's team is happy to get a speedy result and Linda is happy to be able to walk. In the divorce, Linda's legal team had stated that she wanted to retain the couple's Plaza spread overlooking Central Park. The couple had paid $60 million for the 7 adjacent units covering 14,000 SF in 2007. The value has been of major debate in the divorce proceedings, with Harry valuing the unit at $107 million and Linda's team valuing it at $55 million. The couple reportedly spend over $30 million on renovations. Harry Macklowe maintains his net worth to be negative $400 million accounting for deferred capital-gains taxes, and Linda Macklowe's team has taken the same strategy. The negative $400 million number comes from profits from 432 Park amounting to a mere $48 million to the $400 million expected. A counter held that Macklowe had $428.3 million of inventory in the tower. Harry Macklowe's savings accounts are reportedly around $49.7 million, all of which has been pledged as collateral for over $100 million of loans. One of those loans was a $10.5 million loan for Linda at a 15% interest rate which was used to close on 737 Park Avenue. Harry Macklowe's net-worth has been valued around $2 billion.
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