Lenny Kravitz Goes Shopping ... Again

Thanks to a very helpful ice cream man, Motoko Rich reports today that rocker Lenny Kravitz has twice viewed the potentially record-breaking Duke Semans Mansion. Does that mean he's one of the three nameless bidders mentioned in the piece? One guy is sure of it. "Lenny Kravitz, the rock star and budding designer, has visited the house twice, said Mamdouh Nasr, the owner of an ice cream truck that has parked for 28 years on the corner of 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue, just steps from the mansion's front door. "To Mr. Nasr, it's clear evidence that the musician, who enjoys buying and fixing up real estate, is buying the home. "To this guy time is money," Mr. Nasr said. "So why he comes inside two times?"" While the ice cream guy is convinced, quick real-estate deals have never been Mr. Kravitz's trademark. Although Mr. Kravitz has been seen looking at a number of expensive properties in Manhattan, he still has to do something about his Crosby Street penthouse. The 6,000-square-foot spread has lingered on the market since July 2002, when it was first listed at a staggering $17 million. The price was next slashed to $14.95 million, then $13.95 million, and finally to $12.95 million, where it has remained since last summer. However, if he does buy the Fifth Avenue mansion, it seems likely that he will want to unload the downtown apartment. Perhaps another drop in price? But if that still might be too expensive, and your heart is set on a rock star's apartment, Courtney Love's 4,200-square-foot loft—in the same building—is still available for only $5.5 million. - Michael Calderone