In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio bought a $3.67 million Manhattan apartment inside a building powered by solar panels; what made Riverhouse different |

In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio added a Manhattan apartment to his property portfolio, but the building he chose was distinguishable from many luxury residences in New York. Located in Battery Park City, Riverhouse was designed around environmentally conscious features, including solar panels, filtered air, and a water treatment system. For an actor who had already become closely associated with environmental causes, the direction was a perfect fit.At the time, CBS News reported that DiCaprio had purchased an apartment in the 264-unit Riverhouse development, overlooking the Hudson River and a nearby park. The building was touted for its focus on reducing its environmental impact while offering the amenities expected of a high-end condominium.

A house inside one of Manhattan’s first green residential buildings

Riverhouse was completed in 2008 and received LEED Gold certification, according to the Battery Park City Authority. The project was developed by the Sheldrake Organization, with architecture by Polshek Partnership in collaboration with Ismael Leyva Architects and design work by David Rockwell.Its environmental features were part of the building’s design from the beginning. CBS News reported that Riverhouse had low-emission paints, a 24-hour filtered fresh air system, a water treatment facility and solar panels that could rotate to follow the sun.The building’s approach went beyond simply placing solar panels on the roof. An Urban Green Council case study also documents features such as photovoltaic panel tracking, sewage and rainwater treatment systems, triple-glazed curtain wall windows and a combined heat and power system.

How much did Leonardo DiCaprio pay for the apartment?

DiCaprio’s representative did not disclose the amount when the purchase was first reported in April 2008. CBS News confirmed the acquisition but did not release the purchase price at the time.CityRealty later reported that DiCaprio paid $3.67 million for his first Riverhouse apartment. The actor eventually expanded his presence in the building by purchasing the neighboring unit in 2014 for $8 million.That second purchase gave him an even bigger imprint on the development of Battery Park City. CityRealty reported that the neighboring apartment measured about 2,327 square feet and included approximately 1,035 square feet of outdoor space.

The building was designed around cleaner interior spaces.

One of Riverhouse’s unusual selling points was its approach to indoor air quality. Instead of relying solely on ordinary ventilation, the building incorporated a filtration system designed to provide residents with fresh, filtered air. CityRealty also reported that the building used water filters, humidity control and low-polluting materials as part of its environmentally friendly design.The emphasis on air and water was combined with materials selected with sustainability in mind. The Urban Green Council case study notes the project’s attention to indoor environmental quality and water treatment, demonstrating that these systems were integrated into the development rather than simply added as luxury extras.

The solar panels were part of the building’s identity.

Solar technology was another feature that set Riverhouse apart when it opened. Reports described the building’s solar panels as rotating panels, while the Urban Green Council identified them as tracking photovoltaic panels. Its ability to track the sun was part of Riverhouse’s broader effort to incorporate renewable energy into a high-rise residential project.The building’s green credentials were therefore linked to several systems working together: renewable energy, water treatment, air filtration and materials chosen with environmental considerations in mind.

A luxury building with much beyond its green features.

Sustainability did not mean Riverhouse lacked the amenities associated with luxury living in Manhattan.The development included a 50-foot lap pool, fitness center, a landscaped terrace, multimedia cafe and dog spa, according to the report. The building also had spaces such as a yoga studio and billiards room.Its beachfront location added another attraction. Riverhouse is located at 2 River Terrace in Battery Park City, overlooking the Hudson River and Rockefeller Park. The Battery Park City Authority lists the building as part of the neighborhood’s North Quarter and confirms its 2008 completion and LEED Gold certification.

Leonardo DiCaprio then bought the apartment next door.

Six years after his first purchase, DiCaprio returned to Riverhouse. In 2014, he purchased the neighboring apartment for $8 million, according to CityRealty. The purchase effectively expanded its footprint within the same environmentally focused development rather than moving to another Manhattan building.The choice also fits a pattern in DiCaprio’s real estate portfolio. Architectural Digest has noted his interest in environmentally conscious properties, including his apartments in Battery Park City and his plans for the sustainable Blackadore Caye project in Belize.What made Riverhouse’s purchase notable was not simply the celebrity attached to it. In 2008, DiCaprio chose a residence in a building where renewable energy, air filtration and water treatment were incorporated into the development itself. More than just a luxury Manhattan address, Riverhouse offered an early example of how sustainability could be incorporated into high-end urban living.