US actor Chris Pine is suing a developer over a rental deposit. Picture: AFP
Actor Chris Pine is suing a high-profile luxury developer in Brooklyn, claiming the developer has failed to return a $100,000 (AUD $143,000) deposit on a rental deal that fell through.
The “Star Trek” actor alleges in a lawsuit that Carlos Saavedra and his firm, Eckstrom, are improperly holding $100,000 (AUD $143,000) following the collapse of negotiations for a townhouse rental in the Cobble Hill neighbourhood of Brooklyn.
According to the complaint filed in Kings County Superior Court, Pine put down a total of $125,000 (AUD $178,000) on a short-term rental: a $50,000 (AUD $71,000) deposit, $50,000 (AUD $71,000) toward the first month’s rent, and a $25,000 (AUD $35,000) pet deposit.
The pet deposit has since been refunded, while Pine is suing to recover the remaining funds, along with damages and attorney’s fees.
Lawyer Russell Wolfson, who is representing Saavedra and Eckstrom in the suit, told Realtor.com: “This is a private contractual matter. As is typical of any complaint, it tells only one side and does not reflect the complete story. Mr Saavedra is confident it will be resolved through the appropriate channels.”
Chris Pine claims he is owed money after the deal fell through. Picture: Google Maps
The dispute unfolded in June, when Pine discussed a short-term furnished rental of the luxury townhome at 487 Henry St., according to the complaint.
The 6,000-square-foot home has five bedrooms and four bathrooms spread across five floors.
The property dates to the 19th century, but was recently gut-renovated by Eckstrom and features white oak floors and marble and quartzite countertops, a fitness studio, sauna, and cold plunge, and around 2,000 square feet of outdoor space.
The fully furnished property is listed for rent at $69,500 (AUD $99,000) per month but is also available for purchase for $14.25 million (AUD $20.39 million).
Pine’s complaint says that he made handwritten additions to the standard form of lease offered by Saavedra, but that the developer rejected his proposed amendments entirely.
According to the lawsuit, despite putting money down on the rental, Pine never signed a contract with Eckstrom. It’s unclear why the deal fell through.
Inside the aprtment at the centre of the dispute. Picture: Realtor
“No landlord-tenant relationship has been created, no possession has been delivered, and the contemplated term will not begin because the parties failed to negotiate a final Lease,” the complaint states.
Pine is no stranger to court disputes. In 2022, his then-neighbour Helen Yu sued the actor over several ficus Benjamina trees planted in the yard of his Los Angeles home.
Yu, a prominent music lawyer, alleged that the trees had invasive root systems that caused problems for her property. Pine countersued, and the dispute dragged out for several years.
That case ended in a settlement, although Yu returned to court in December pleading for a judge to enforce settlement agreement.
In 2021, Pine purchased a modest $1.4 million (AUD $2 million) bungalow in the Valley Village neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
According to reports, Pine bought the three-bedroom property for a family member. He also owns a property in L.A.’s Los Feliz neighbourhood that he purchased in 2010 from the actor Jason Lee.
English (US) · 