Chris Pine Accuses Luxury Brooklyn Developer of Failing To Refund $100K Rental Deposit

by Julie Gerstein

Actor Chris Pine is suing a high-profile luxury developer in Brooklyn, claiming the developer has failed to return a $100,000 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 following the collapse of negotiations for a townhouse rental in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn.

According to the complaint filed in Kings County Superior Court, Pine put down a total of $125,000 on a short-term rental: a $50,000 deposit, $50,000 toward the first month’s rent, and a $25,000 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.

Attorney 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.”

Kitchen with patio at ECKSTROM townhouse in Brooklyn, NY, on sale for $14,250,000 — Kitchen with patio at Eckstrom townhouse in Brooklyn, NY. Actor Chris Pine is seeking the return of $100,000 in fees from the developer who renovated the property. (Hayley Ellen Day)

Pine is reportedly in New York to film a new project with Emma Stone, titled “The Catch.”

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 per month but is also available for purchase for $14.25 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.

"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.

Living room at ECKSTROM townhouse in Brooklyn, NY, on sale for $14,250,000 — 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. (Hayley Ellen Day)

Sitting area at ECKSTROM townhouse in Brooklyn, NY, on sale for $14,250,000 — The fully furnished property is listed for rent at $69,500 per month but is also available for purchase for $14.25 million. (Hayley Ellen Day)

Pine is no stranger to court disputes. In 2022, his then-neighbor Helen Yu sued the actor over several ficus Benjamina trees planted in the yard of his Los Angeles home.

Yu, a prominent music attorney, 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 bungalow in the Valley Village neighborhood 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 neighborhood that he purchased in 2010 from the actor Jason Lee.

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