A beloved Park Avenue doorman who won $5 million in the state lottery wants to move on up — and into the elegant, pre-war building where he works.
That way, "I'll have the doorman open the door for me," says Richie Randazzo, 44, a bachelor who lives in a two-story home in Brooklyn.
But the lucky winner will have to wait because the only apartment for sale in the building at 1021 Park Ave. at East 85th Street is out of his range.So for now, Randazzo, who plans to continue working, will be a millionaire who opens the door and hails taxis for millionaires.
The only apartment on the market in his building is an 11-room beauty that is going for a cool $9.95 million. And even though $5 million is nothing to sneeze at, it just isn't enough scratch — even for a scratch-off millionaire.
Still, a fella can dream.
"After I hit the next lottery, I'll buy that one," Randazzo said yesterday at a ceremony announcing his good fortune.
The lucky doorman actually won the prize May 2, when he bought a $10 Set for Life instant ticket, which pays $5,000 a week for life and guarantees a minimum of $5 million. Winners get $65,000 every three months, or $41,926 after taxes.
That — minus tips — is more than the $40,000 the doorman earns in a year.
Randazzo's new riches have given him the freedom to concentrate on one of his passions — women.
"I want a good Italian woman — or Swedish or Irish or Chinese," he said. "I'm always looking. It's a hobby of mine."
Asked if he is the Big Apple's most eligible bachelor, he replied, "Yes, absolutely. I've got a lot of money to prove it.
"If they want to start a reality show called, 'Who Wants to Marry a Scratch-Off Millionaire,' let me know," he added. "They can call it, 'From Rags to Richie.' "
Champing on a cigar, Randazzo got a hero's welcome when he showed up at the building last night in a silver Porsche Cayenne stretch limo. The super, George Skintej, opened the limo's door, saying, "Now, he's my boss."
Randazzo didn't scratch off the winning ticket until he got home to the Gravesend house he grew up in. Hans Utsch, a mutual-fund manager who lives at 1021 Park, said the doorman "could barely speak" when he told him about his windfall. "He was halfway between laughing and crying."
After the big win, Randazzo wondered whether to quit, telling building resident Amy Fine-Collins, "I don't need to do this anymore."
But, taking the advice of his parents, Cora and Frank, who live in West Palm Beach, Fla., he decided to keep his job, because "it's too much too soon."
Randazzo's big smile in front of the buiding he hopes to buy an apartment in. At the moment, only one 11-room apartment is available for almost $10 million.
you are KIDDING ...why in the world does a doorman make that much money(40k a year plus tips)?? Teachers (i.e. people with college educations) don't even make that much. this country is insane.
Quote: Originally posted by GamerMom on Jun 16, 2008
you are KIDDING ...why in the world does a doorman make that much money(40k a year plus tips)?? Teachers (i.e. people with college educations) don't even make that much. this country is insane.
What makes you think a doorman doesn't have a college education?
am I missing something? what are the requirements for a position as a doorman? I don't live in NYC so maybe i'm just ignorant as to what they do? I assumed they were more or less fancy door bodyguards, controlling who comes into the building. I'm actually surprised they still have those with the advent of modern electronic doorlocks and such.
The owners of the apartment pay him, private enterprise. Teachers are paid from school bonds and tax dollars. People hate paying more taxes. Right, wrong, or indifferent, it is what it is. BTW, my mother was a teacher, never graduated from high school, went to college in her 40's grad with a masters in 3 years.
good for him i hope that he stays within the neighborhood - as for the education factor, HA i know many a doorman with post grad education [from other countries, can't get into their respective fields because of green card issues] .. and most, with tips included can definately rate in $70K + .... off subject, but to have a GREAT doorman .. PRICELESS!
Quote: Originally posted by GamerMom on Jun 16, 2008
am I missing something? what are the requirements for a position as a doorman? I don't live in NYC so maybe i'm just ignorant as to what they do? I assumed they were more or less fancy door bodyguards, controlling who comes into the building. I'm actually surprised they still have those with the advent of modern electronic doorlocks and such.
Edit: I began composing this before the above comments were posted.
I think you are missing my point. (I didn't call you ignorant BTW.) First of all, there are a lot of service positions that pay very well if you are good at your job. In places like Vegas, being a doorman or valet is a coveted position, although I haven't been there in decades. Second, some people who have lots of education decide they don't like doing this or that and find peace at other jobs. Third, times are tough and there might be someone bagging groceries at night who has 8 years of college so he/she can buy gas and food. I once watched a 60 minutes story about a man with a PhD who ran a junkyard.
Anyway, $40K in NYC isn't even enough to rent a studio apartment. I'm not getting defensive, but I've worked at lots of jobs where customers treat the salespeople as if we're all idiots. I can't tell you how many times someone has spelled "street" or "lane" for me and I have 6 years of college. You might take a taxi and the driver had a medical degree in another country. That was all I was saying.
Just FYI - a toll collector in some states earns up to $75K. Look at the last paragraph in this article.
One of my former neighbors who had a degree in history worked as a driver for Waste Management. I found out later he had a substance abuse problem. He was also very, very shy so maybe he couldn't teach or work around other people. Anyway, he worked a lot of overtime and often cleared more than $1,000 a week, although he got up at 4am and looked completely exhausted when he got home. Tim Russert said in an interview that working at that job one summer is what reminded him to stay in college and become a lawyer.
Back to the story:
"I want a good Italian woman — or Swedish or Irish or Chinese," he said. "I'm always looking. It's a hobby of mine."
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jun 16, 2008
One of my former neighbors who had a degree in history worked as a driver for Waste Management. I found out later he had a substance abuse problem. He was also very, very shy so maybe he couldn't teach or work around other people. Anyway, he worked a lot of overtime and often cleared more than $1,000 a week, although he got up at 4am and looked completely exhausted when he got home. Tim Russert said in an interview that working at that job one summer is what reminded him to stay in college and become a lawyer.
Back to the story:
"I want a good Italian woman — or Swedish or Irish or Chinese," he said. "I'm always looking. It's a hobby of mine."
A hobby?
well, i'd tell him to go with the Irish chic - you know, they have the whole 'luck of the irish' thing on their side! but it sounds like basically he'll take any women that'll have his stinking self <-- and i say that in the most respectable tone for sanitation engineers
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jun 16, 2008
One of my former neighbors who had a degree in history worked as a driver for Waste Management. I found out later he had a substance abuse problem. He was also very, very shy so maybe he couldn't teach or work around other people. Anyway, he worked a lot of overtime and often cleared more than $1,000 a week, although he got up at 4am and looked completely exhausted when he got home. Tim Russert said in an interview that working at that job one summer is what reminded him to stay in college and become a lawyer.
Back to the story:
"I want a good Italian woman — or Swedish or Irish or Chinese," he said. "I'm always looking. It's a hobby of mine."
A hobby?
Man that sounds awful.
If I were in his shoes I would say..."Oh well, I hope I can move to the upstate New York and meet a nice girl. I really want to settle down. I like blonde or bruenette and the color has to be natural. I hate playing around. I hate being a bachelor. I just want to settle down and start a family."
Quote: Originally posted by Sandra Dee on Jun 16, 2008
well, i'd tell him to go with the Irish chic - you know, they have the whole 'luck of the irish' thing on their side! but it sounds like basically he'll take any women that'll have his stinking self <-- and i say that in the most respectable tone for sanitation engineers
he'll take any women that'll have his stinking self <-- and i say that in the most respectable tone for sanitation engineers
Sandra, that quote was from the above article about the NY Doorman. The sanitation engineer (I like the job title) I mentioned had a lot of respect for women. He was so shy he couldn't talk to me without turning red.
Ambelama says:"I like blonde or bruenette and the color has to be natural."
Well then, you wouldn't like me. I was thinking of coloring my hair a deep shade of red with long, dark streaks - or maybe just shaving "Lotto" on top. The hair over my lip is natural blonde however.
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jun 16, 2008
he'll take any women that'll have his stinking self <-- and i say that in the most respectable tone for sanitation engineers
Sandra, that quote was from the above article about the NY Doorman. The sanitation engineer (I like the job title) I mentioned had a lot of respect for women. He was so shy he couldn't talk to me without turning red.
Ambelama says:"I like blonde or bruenette and the color has to be natural."
Well then, you wouldn't like me. I was thinking of coloring my hair a deep shade of red with long, dark streaks - or maybe just shaving "Lotto" on top. The hair over my lip is natural blonde however.
I see trouble ahead for this guy. Just the things he said will attract the worst kind of people. When will people learn.
Quote: Originally posted by GamerMom on Jun 16, 2008
am I missing something? what are the requirements for a position as a doorman? I don't live in NYC so maybe i'm just ignorant as to what they do? I assumed they were more or less fancy door bodyguards, controlling who comes into the building. I'm actually surprised they still have those with the advent of modern electronic doorlocks and such.
My brother is a doorman. Let me tell you, it's hard to get "in". The union is 32B & J. They pay very well. The doorman just doesn't opens doors but also acts as a security guard, mail man, helper, etc. The job is not hard but you have to know how to "kiss ass" if you know what I mean. Especially if you work in one of those "Park Ave" or "Fifth Ave" building where everyone is fifthy rich.
you are KIDDING ...why in the world does a doorman make that much money(40k a year plus tips)?? Teachers (i.e. people with college educations) don't even make that much. this country is insane.
What makes you think a doorman doesn't have a college education?
am I missing something? what are the requirements for a position as a doorman? I don't live in NYC so maybe i'm just ignorant as to what they do? I assumed they were more or less fancy door bodyguards, controlling who comes into the building. I'm actually surprised they still have those with the advent of modern electronic doorlocks and such.
The owners of the apartment pay him, private enterprise. Teachers are paid from school bonds and tax dollars. People hate paying more taxes. Right, wrong, or indifferent, it is what it is. BTW, my mother was a teacher, never graduated from high school, went to college in her 40's grad with a masters in 3 years.
good for him i hope that he stays within the neighborhood - as for the education factor, HA i know many a doorman with post grad education [from other countries, can't get into their respective fields because of green card issues] .. and most, with tips included can definately rate in $70K + .... off subject, but to have a GREAT doorman .. PRICELESS!
Edit: I began composing this before the above comments were posted.
I think you are missing my point. (I didn't call you ignorant BTW.) First of all, there are a lot of service positions that pay very well if you are good at your job. In places like Vegas, being a doorman or valet is a coveted position, although I haven't been there in decades. Second, some people who have lots of education decide they don't like doing this or that and find peace at other jobs. Third, times are tough and there might be someone bagging groceries at night who has 8 years of college so he/she can buy gas and food. I once watched a 60 minutes story about a man with a PhD who ran a junkyard.
Anyway, $40K in NYC isn't even enough to rent a studio apartment. I'm not getting defensive, but I've worked at lots of jobs where customers treat the salespeople as if we're all idiots. I can't tell you how many times someone has spelled "street" or "lane" for me and I have 6 years of college. You might take a taxi and the driver had a medical degree in another country. That was all I was saying.
Just FYI - a toll collector in some states earns up to $75K. Look at the last paragraph in this article.
http://www.forbes.com/2006/03/02/tollbooth-collectors-money_cx_lr_money06_0302tollbooth.html
Oh, congrats to the lucky winner!
holy god i'm in the wrong field then! but then again I do work from home and live where rent is dirt cheap
One of my former neighbors who had a degree in history worked as a driver for Waste Management. I found out later he had a substance abuse problem. He was also very, very shy so maybe he couldn't teach or work around other people. Anyway, he worked a lot of overtime and often cleared more than $1,000 a week, although he got up at 4am and looked completely exhausted when he got home. Tim Russert said in an interview that working at that job one summer is what reminded him to stay in college and become a lawyer.
Back to the story:
"I want a good Italian woman — or Swedish or Irish or Chinese," he said. "I'm always looking. It's a hobby of mine."
A hobby?
That'll be an expensive hobby... Even more now that he's getting a little extra money, not to mention dangerous..
Man that sounds awful.
If I were in his shoes I would say..."Oh well, I hope I can move to the upstate New York and meet a nice girl. I really want to settle down. I like blonde or bruenette and the color has to be natural. I hate playing around. I hate being a bachelor. I just want to settle down and start a family."
he'll take any women that'll have his stinking self <-- and i say that in the most respectable tone for sanitation engineers
Sandra, that quote was from the above article about the NY Doorman. The sanitation engineer (I like the job title) I mentioned had a lot of respect for women. He was so shy he couldn't talk to me without turning red.
Ambelama says: "I like blonde or bruenette and the color has to be natural."
Well then, you wouldn't like me. I was thinking of coloring my hair a deep shade of red with long, dark streaks - or maybe just shaving "Lotto" on top. The hair over my lip is natural blonde however.
I see trouble ahead for this guy. Just the things he said will attract the worst kind of people. When will people learn.
My brother is a doorman. Let me tell you, it's hard to get "in". The union is 32B & J. They pay very well. The doorman just doesn't opens doors but also acts as a security guard, mail man, helper, etc. The job is not hard but you have to know how to "kiss ass" if you know what I mean. Especially if you work in one of those "Park Ave" or "Fifth Ave" building where everyone is fifthy rich.