Stanford University

Without William Neuman's "Big Deal" column, it seemed like a slow weekend on the luxury real estate front. But turning to the weekend Metro section, there was the huge news that Mayor Bloomberg is planning to buy a $45 million townhouse on the Upper East Side to use as a charity headquarters.

Mr. Bloomberg has not yet closed on the sale of the six-story building at 25 East 78th Street, on the corner of Madison Avenue, but he has signed a contract to do so and last week sent in a check for the full price, according to the person with knowledge of the deal, who was granted anonymity because the sale has not yet been completed.

What's strange is that the listing on the Sotheby's site says the Stanford White-designed townhouse costs $50 million (which is the same asking price since The Observer first reported on it in May 2005). Either way, $45 or $50 million would be a record-setting price for a townhouse, trumping the $40 million paid for the Duke Semans mansion.  read more »

- Michael Calderone

Don't ask me how I know this, but I hear that summer's on the way out.  read more »

PALO ALTO, CALIF.-Danny Pearl's friends lingered together, in the velvety 6 o'clock California light  read more »