Two weeks before her soon–to–be–ex-husband Salman Rushdie announced he was granting her a divorce because of “her desire to end their marriage,” Padma Lakshmi quietly shopped for a new apartment. Sources say the former model may be looking to lease instead of buy, since last week she had her broker check out a $10,000-a-month penthouse duplex at the Modern, a “green” luxury rental building on West 16th Street. (Fashion designer Norma Kamali eyed the $11,000-a-month maisonette there but hasn’t committed.) The location certainly makes sense for Lakshmi, who hosts Top Chef: It’s right across from Chelsea Market, where she tapes episodes of her TV series. But the tasty celebrity may not bite since it has no doorman. Calls to Lakshmi’s publicist were not returned.

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Related:

• Archive: “Intelligencer”
• Articles by S.Jhoanna Robledo
• Table of Contents: July 16, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!