Cost of home
Even in the early 80s wouldn't a three story home in Manhattan be really expensive?
shareYes, but Ivan is a successful playwright. It's state that Alice is a successful movie star and his name has value in trying to get her to do the play, so he's somewhat well known.
Also, we don't know how long he's owned the house. NYC in the 70's had some considerable urban decay, so he may have picked it up prior the the neighborhood being gentrified.