The celebratory dinner was held at one of the city’s chicest restaurants, whose building offers a picture-perfect view down Central Park South to the Park Lane Hotel, a 47-story tower that looms over its more famous neighbor, the Plaza.

Steven Witkoff, a New York developer, had just won the bidding for the Park Lane. It was, he thought, the best location in Manhattan, if not the world, to build a supertower with ultraluxury apartments.

Dining with him that night in 2013 was Jho Low, an extravagant, chubby-faced Malaysian financier whose friends included heads of state, Wall Street bankers and celebrities like Paris Hilton and Leonardo DiCaprio. Mr. Low had agreed to finance 85 percent of the $654 million they were paying for the Park Lane. He also provided the $100 million nonrefundable deposit — twice the sum typically put up — that convinced the sellers to choose the Witkoff group over a rival bidder with a slightly higher offer.

But no work ever started on the planned new tower. Mr. Low’s fortune evaporated under scrutiny from authorities here and abroad who say that his money was stolen from the Malaysian people. Four years after the dinner — the first and last time Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Low socialized — Mr. Witkoff and his remaining partners are being forced by the Justice Department to put the building up for sale. A glossy marketing book is being sent to prospective bidders this week.