OTTAWA – Renovating the current residence of Canada’s consul general in New York would have cost $2.6 million and left “fundamental issues,” so the government bought a new $8.8-million condo on “Billionaire’s Row” instead, according to Global Affairs Canada.

New documents filed by GAC to the Commons Government Operations Committee (OGGO) reveal that the department considered 21 luxury properties — including a 47th floor penthouse listed at over $21 million — before settling on the condo it purchased for just under $9 million in Steinway Tower.