Real estate royal Bob Knakal in contract to sell $13.45M NYC condo

The asking price hasn’t changed since the 11th-floor condo at 737 Park Ave., by 71st Street, first hit the market last September. The buyer, we hear, is a Hong Kong-based businessman who’s paying close to ask.

Listing brokers Ryan Serhant and Kayla Lee, of Serhant, declined to comment.

Knakal bought his unit for around $12.9 million in 2015.

The 4,719-square-foot residence comes with five bedrooms and 7½ baths. Developer Harry Macklowe bought the building, which dates to 1940, in 2011 and then transformed it from rentals to condos.

But the building’s initial value has not held — thanks in part to low ceiling heights that never reach 9 feet high, we hear. For example, in 2014, Stephen and Samantha Finkelstein bought a 3,845-square-foot sponsor unit for $17.36 million and then put more money into renovating. A year later, they tried to flip it for $22.5 million. It finally sold last month for $11.2 million — a $6 million-plus hit on their initial purchase price. (The buyers were Richard Friedman, chairman of the asset management division at Goldman Sachs, and his wife, Susan.) The listing brokers for that unit were Serhant, Lee and Jennifer Alese, who’s also with Serhant.

Knakal’s home opens from a private elevator landing to a foyer, leading to an open living and dining area, and a windowed chef’s kitchen with a pantry. The smart-wired home includes design details like marble, woodwork, high ceilings, custom casement windows and oak floors. A main bedroom suite is 1,000 square feet and comes with two spa-like baths, three walk-in closets and a windowed dressing room.

There’s also a library (formerly a bedroom) with cherry-wood paneling on the walls, ceiling and pocket doors, marble floors and a wet bar.

Building amenities include a gym and a children’s playroom, along with bike and stroller storage.