When we wrote our Columbus Circle 2 weeks ago, we said the 6,744 square foot apartment at 15 Central Park West that was being sold by former Citigroup chairman Sandy Weill for a record shattering $88 million had likely found a buyer. Today we can report that the owner of this gorgeous piece of New York real estate is Russian billionaire Dmitriy Rybolovlev, who has bought it for his daughter Ekaterina, at the full asking price. Ekaterina Rybolovleva is a legal resident of Monaco, currently studying at an undisclosed university in the United States. Her spokesman says she will use the apartment primarily as a pied-a-terre when traveling in New York. The deal has rocked the real estate world, clocking in as the largest private transaction in New York City history.

The $88 million apartment boasts ten rooms, four of which are bedrooms. Each room has been custom-designed for modern appeal, and includes a Brazilian rosewood library, private gallery, dining room and a wraparound outdoor terrace of 2,000 square feet. Include the tony location in the Upper West Side and the impressive amenities of this luxury condominium building, such as a 75-foot-long swimming pool and private motor court with copper roof, and 15 Central Park West's appeal to the elite becomes understandable.

Ultra-luxury condos for sale in Manhattan had a good year in 2011. In March, Russian composer Igor Krutoy bought a condo at the Plaza for $48 million, and the same amount was spent in July for a townhouse on 16 East 69^th St. As for the Russian billionaire's new property at 15 Central Park West, it broke every Manhattan real estate price record in history, according to real estate appraiser Jonathan Miller. Ms. Rybolovlev will live in a 10-room, 4-bedroom suite with a 2,000 square foot wraparound and 2 fireplaces. The previous market record in the city was $53 million, which went to a townhouse on 4 East 75^th Street. It was bought by investor Christopher Flowers right before the market crash, who resold it in August for $36 million.

We first heard of Dmitriy Rybolovlev when he bought Donald Trump’s Palm Beach mansion Maison de L’Amitie for $95 million in 2008. His latest purchase breaks down to $13,000 per square foot, which makes it the most expensive purchase per square foot in history. Sandy Weill meanwhile, has promised to put the money up for charity. Looks like someone’s having a good Christmas.