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Chartis closes penthouse and sells off furniture from Greenberg days

For sale: Some of the furniture being auctioned off by Chartis this weekend

Beds, upholstered chairs and ottoman couches used by American International Group (AIG) CEOs Maurice (Hank) Greenberg and Martin Sullivan will be up for grabs when they are put up for auction this weekend.The furniture from Chartis' penthouse apartment, which includes oriental silk screens, sofas and upholstered furniture, will all go under the hammer after the company decided they didn't have a need for it.AIG was bailed out by the US Government in September 2008 in a deal which was extended to more than $180 billion in loan facilities and guarantees. A year later the company rebranded its property-casualty business under the name of Chartis. Its Bermuda operation also changed the name of the AIG building to Chartis House.The sale also includes high-end executive office furniture such as fine hand-knotted carpets, leather sofas, coffee and occasional tables, credenzas, executive desks and chairs, mahogany book cases, lamps, decorative accessories and artwork.The public will even be able to bid for complete state-of-the-art executive boardroom set and well-appointed reception areas.For the home, there is a pine breakfront, modern dining room tables and chairs, mirrors, bed side tables, lamps and weathered teak lounge chairs and benches, while buyers can also fit out their kitchen with major appliances, dishwashers, fridges, a stainless stove hood, microwave ovens, coffee makers and carafes, china and glassware.Lars Bergquist, senior vice-president of Chartis Bermuda, said the company no longer used the furniture and were instructed by CEO Robert Benmosche to sell it on his visit to the Island last month."It goes back to the days of the previous management of (Hank) Greenberg and (Martin) Sullivan," he said."It hasn't been used since and we don't see any reason to keep it. We're a different company now, so we don't need it."Mr Bergquist said that Chartis was to turn the space into offices as part of its reconfiguration and there would be no changes in staffing levels as a result.An e-mail sent out by the auctioneers Hammers Ltd read: "We are pleased to announce that Chartis has asked us to conduct a large sale of very high-end executive office furniture as well as the contents of their spectacular, two-bedroom penthouse apartment. The office furniture is of the highest quality, like new and very sophisticated - many pieces can easily be used in your own homes."Going on to say that prices are set for an quick sale, Hammers will be running a cash and carry system on the day. Another sale is planned for the sale of the contents of two additional floors of office furniture, fixtures and equipment.The auction will be held at Chartis House on Richmond Road on Saturday July 23 and Sunday July 24 between 10am and 3pm.For more information contact Andrea Casling on 534-7727 or Holly Lewis on 505-2222.

Former AIG CEO Maurice (Hank) Greenberg