The 50 Shades of Grey trilogy has been back in the spotlight in recent weeks, but it’s not because of author E.L. James or film stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson—it’s that a spectacular Escala Seattle penthouse—the one that inspired James as she wrote the novels—is now available for sale. Listed by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Co-Founder Scott Wasner, the penthouse has grabbed local, national and international headlines since it was listed last month.
Shortly after coming onto the market, local newspaper Seattle PI picked up the story, telling readers they could own “the penthouse where the infamous Christian Grey made fictional history in Fifty Shades of Grey,” describing the condo as “palatial” and “impressively spacious.”
In the days that followed, Wasner worked with Sotheby’s International Realty’s global network to secure a flurry of media opportunities, with stories that ran in a number of prominent publications.
“This home has a unique story backstory and I was confident we could tell it on a global stage,” said Wasner, whose marketing plan was tailored to its ties to 50 Shades of Grey. “Though the movie wasn’t filmed inside Escala, the homeowners’ association did allow filmmakers to shoot the view from the top of the building and fans have been known to contact the concierge begging to spend the night in a penthouse suite.”
As Mansion Global outlined in an article, the penthouse bears many resemblances to that of the one E.L. James describes as Christian Grey’s in the book: “spectacular views, walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, a large wraparound terrace, glass and marble countertops, hardwood floors, massive walk-in closets, a soaking tub and a private elevator vestibule.” Their piece was additionally syndicated to Realtor.com.
Many of the media features were quick to mention the private elevator vestibule, which is reminiscent of the one Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele are seen walking through in the film.
The Observer was quick to point out a parallel between Christian Grey and the actor who plays him in the films, writing that “Jamie Dornan just listed his own Hollywood Hills home for sale, but now his cinematic counterpart’s penthouse is also up for grabs.” The publication notes the “surplus of glassy walls, marble surfaces, sharp angles and sleek detailing,” adding that while there are “no signs of Christian Grey’s extravagant wine cellar just yet . . . the house is equipped with a full bar.”
Next it was Architectural Digest, as they heralded the home as “a true fantasy come to life,” calling it “just as dreamy as the film pictured it to be.” From the formal sitting area with a grand piano, which AD notes is “not unlike the one Christian Grey plays in the films” to bedrooms that are a “beauty to behold.”
One can almost imagine Grey sitting to play upon the grand piano in the formal sitting area.
The attention-grabbing penthouse was later noticed by Curbed Seattle, Daily Mail and Metro UK, was included on an August 30th episode of E! TV and featured on an episode of Inside Edition.
It also currently stands as a featured extraordinary global property on the Nikkei:
“There are some significant buyers out there,” Wasner adds. “People want unique and large spaces downtown, and they are disappearing fast.”
