More stories

  • in

    Movin’ Out: Billy Joel’s Sprawling New York Estate Just Hit the Market for $49 Million

    Billy Joel has long been known as Long Island’s golden boy, but the musician is saying buh-bye to his home base out east.

    The Piano Man has listed his Oyster Bay mansion for a cool $49 million, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The 26-acre property, known as Middlesea, sits along the North Shore waterfront and includes a 20,000-square-foot main house, along with a beach house, a guest apartment, a gate house, and more.

    One of the bedrooms

    Tyler Sands

    Currently, the central home is undergoing renovations, but it includes five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, along with covered porches, brick columns and archways, and a two-story foyer with black-and-white marble floors. Plus, the home comes with a suite of amenities suited to a rock star: There’s a spa and hair salon, a bowling alley, and a wine cellar. At one point, the home sported an indoor pool—along with the two outdoors—but Joel had it covered up to make a music room, the listing agent Bonnie Williamson with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty told the WSJ.

    Joel decided to list the house while renovations were still occurring because “whoever buys will want to do their own selections of how to paint and decorate and perhaps style the kitchen,” Williamson said. It should be completed by the late summer or early fall.

    A living area

    Tyler Sands

    Over the years, Joel acquired bits of property to amass his enormous estate: He paid $22.5 million for the first 14 acres in 2002, then snapped up the surrounding land. He’s decided to give it all up now because he and his wife spend most of their time in Florida, where he bought a $22 million home in 2015.

    The Grammy winner’s decision to forgo his Long Island abode will be another family’s gain, however. Along with all of the various indoor spaces, the property features a floating dock, boat ramp, and helipad, allowing you to skip the New York City traffic and arrive in style. And the various other homes on the acreage give you at least another 10 bedrooms for guests to enjoy.

    So although Joel may no longer be living in a New York state of mind, you sure can be.

    Click here to see all the images of Middlesea. More

  • in

    Susie Hilfiger’s Historic Connecticut Estate Just Listed for a Cool $18 Million

    Before fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and Susie Hilfiger, his wife of 20 years, called it quits, they shared a country house in Greenwich, Conn. Now, she’s hoisted the historic estate that the estranged couple bought in the ‘90s onto the market.  

    Originally built in 1775, the sprawling 17-acre property dubbed Denbigh Farm is asking just shy of $18 million—which is actually a steal considering what it was listed for just a few years prior. When the Hilfigers purchased the abode, it was owned by the late Joseph Verner Reed Jr.—a former U.S. ambassador to Morocco. At the time, the manor was thought of as a place where their family could seek refuge and maintain a low profile. Although, in speaking with Architectural Digest, Susie admitted that they “instantly fell in love with it.” 

    Susie Hilfiger’s Connecticut compound, also known as Denbigh Farm, just listed for $17.9 million

    Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty

    The home has seen several renovations throughout its lifetime, one at the hands of New York-based firm Albro & Lindeberg in the early 20th century and another by architect Allan Greenberg that was completed in the early 2000s shortly after the couple moved in. “The house deserved sensitivity and attention to detail,” Susie explains to AD. “It had amazing bones and an even better spirit. We redid everything: the roof, the plumbing, all the infrastructure.”  

    Today, the spread comprises a main shingle-roofed residence, along with a detached guest cottage, and two additional apartments located above the garage. Equestrian enthusiasts will enjoy a horse stable with six stalls, multiple paddocks, and a riding arena. The grounds also sport a carriage house, chicken coops, an apple orchard, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Though, a children’s playhouse modeled after George Washington’s Mount Vernon is one of the more peculiar perks.  

    Susie renovated the 18th-century estate alongside her ex-husband and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger,

    Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty

    For the Sister Parish–inspired interiors of the main house, Susie tapped London’s Colefax and Fowler to tackle the design. All of the living spaces, in addition to the seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, are decked out with colorful textiles, hand-painted wallpaper, and antiques that the Hilfigers have collected—including pieces that once belonged to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor that were acquired at auction in 1997. “We bought carpets, a pair of eagle-shaped consoles, and the famous blue sofa she kept at the end of her bed where she would keep her pug dolls,” Susie tells the magazine. “We even bought her green Venetian secretary where she conducted all her household business.” 

    While we imagine it’ll be hard to part ways with the dwelling that she’s owned for close to three decades, Susie revealed to the publication that she plans on moving to the West Coast to be closer to her kids. “I loved raising my children at Denbigh Farm, but now I’ve started a new chapter.” 

    Janet Milligan of Sotheby’s International Realty holds the listing.

    Click here to see all the photos of Denbigh Farm.

    Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty More

  • in

    $250 Million NYC Penthouse (PHOTOS + FLOOR PLANS)

    Ballroom

    Listed with Ryan Serhant 
    LOCATION: 217 West 57th Street, New York, New York
    SQUARE FOOTAGE: 17,545
    BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS: 7 bedrooms & 11 bathrooms
    PRICE: $250,000,000
    This jaw-dropping penthouse occupies the top 3 floors of Central Park Tower located at 225 West 57th Street in New York, New York. More

  • in

    Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Final NYC Apartment and Art Studio Are Available to Rent

    If you ever wanted to rent a building with art historical significance, Andy Warhol’s former New York studio and apartment, where Jean-Michel Basquiat lived and worked from 1983 until his death in 1988, has now hit the market.

    The 57 Great Jones Street property in the Bowery is available for $60,000 per month for a minimum of 10 years.

    Basquiat rented the second floor space from Warhol shortly after they first met. Today, the real estate agency Meridian Capital Group described that space as an “open loft space with high ceilings and multiple skylights.”

    Village Preservation, an architectural conservation society, in conjunction with Two Boots Pizza, installed a plaque on the building’s exterior commemorating the former resident in 2016, reading, “Basquiat’s paintings and other work challenged established notions of high and low art, race and class, while forging a visionary language that defied characterization.”

    Interior view of the second floor at 57 Great Jones Street in New York, 2022.

    Courtesy of Meridian Capital Group/Photo Sylvester Zawadzki

    The exterior of the building is also adorned in street art—a public tribute to the late artist, who started his career as one half of the graffiti art duo SAMO.

    Warhol originally purchased the building in 1970. Prior to Warhol’s purchase, however, the building came with a rich history. Originally constructed in the 1860s, it was purchased by Paolo Antonio Vaccarelli—aka the gangster Paul Kelly—who opened the Brighton Athletic Club in 1904. The building was subsequently used as a metal works business and kitchen supply company until 1970.

    Most recently, the building was home to the exclusive Japanese restaurant Bohemian. Among the neighbors are the galleries Venus Over Manhattan and Eric Firestone Gallery.

    Featuring 6,600-square-feet spread across three floors, the commercial-use building is currently listed with Meridian Capital Group. Of the sale, John Roesch, director and one of the exclusive brokers, said in an email, “We would love to keep this building in the art community.” More

  • in

    Sarah Jessica Parker’s Former NYC Penthouse Could Be Yours for $5.5 Million

     It doesn’t get more “New York” than a Tribeca penthouse formerly owned by Sarah Jessica Parker. And if you couldn’t help but wonder, it does in fact have a closet that would make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous. 

    The actress’s one-time home is located on the top floor of the Collect Pound House. However, the residence and co-op building have been extensively renovated since she lived there in the ‘90s. Combined with a second unit below it, the ultra-chic duplex now has four bedrooms and four bathrooms across its two levels, plus a stunning 1,000-square-foot rooftop terrace for al fresco lounging. If you happen to have $5.5 million to spare, Parker’s former pad could be yours. 

    The New York City penthouse that Sarah Jessica Parker once owned has hit the market for $5.5 million

    Tim Waltman/Evan Joseph Photography for Corcoran

    The minimalist interiors are laid out in an open design and come with some seriously striking details, in addition to a few that harken back to the building’s 20th-century origins. There are rich hardwood floors throughout, soaring 10.5-foot-high ceilings and a mix of wood-framed and arched windows—26 in total if you’re counting.  

    On the second floor, a massive great room blends into the living and dining areas. Meanwhile, the kitchen is illuminated by a set of skylights and has been outfitted with custom cabinets, top-of-the-line appliances and a cozy breakfast room. Elsewhere, you’ll find a home office and a full bathroom.

    The interiors have a minimalist design. In the kitchen, there’s a set of skylights and custom cabinetry

    Tim Waltman/Evan Joseph Photography for Corcoran

    Down on the lower level are three bedrooms—however, a room that’s currently configured as a movie theater could serve as a fourth. The standout feature of the primary suite has got to be the huge walk-in closet, custom built, of course, with plenty of built-in storage for all your Manolo Blahniks. 

    Just up the staircase is the rooftop terrace, which was designed by architect Stephen Wanta. The outdoor oasis comes with 360-degree views of the city and a summer kitchen. The only thing missing is a batch of Cosmos.  

    Claudia Saez-Fromm and Mark David Fromm of The Corcoran Group hold the listing.  

    Click here to see all the photos of Sarah Jessica Parker’s former Tribeca penthouse.

    Tim Waltman/Evan Joseph Photography for Corcoran More

  • in

    Yankees Legend Jorge Posada Is Selling His Waterfront Florida Mansion for $20 Million

    This oceanfront mansion in Florida is quite the catch. Located in the exclusive Old Cutler Bay community, the highly coveted waterfront estate belongs to none other than Yankees legend Jorge Posada and his wife, Laura. The five-time All-Star was said to have purchased the house in 2010 for $6.25 million, just two years before he retired in 2012, as reported by Mansion Global. Angel Nicolas of The Nicolas Group at Compass has now listed the Coral Gables abode for $19.9 million.

    The former MLB star’s seaside property encompasses a seven-bedroom and nine-bathroom home with an impressive 11,800 square feet of living space, along with a private boat dock and a six-car garage. It’s decked out with a slew of amenities, too, including an infinity pool that overlooks the canal and a putting green where you can practice your short game whenever the mood strikes.  

    The Coral Gables estate will set you back $19.9 million.

    Lifestyle Production Group

    Inside the home, the decor is decidedly modern with pops of bright white and glossy finishes. The first floor comprises a formal dining room with a wall-mounted wine rack, an uber contemporary chef’s kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and two double living spaces. There’s also a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, including multiple covered terraces, three balconies and a two-story al fresco entertainment area outfitted with a summer kitchen.

    The Florida property includes a boat dock, a putting green, pool and a seven-bedroom house.

    Lifestyle Production Group

    Upstairs is where you’ll find the primary suite with an incredible walk-in closet that’s roughly the size of two bedrooms combined. The former athlete’s estate also has its own gym, of course, along with a navy-clad movie theater, two home offices and a basement with a billiards area. 

    It’s safe to say, the celebrated catcher has created one home run of a home

    Click here for all the photos of Jorge Posada’s Florida mansion.

    Lifestyle Production Group More

  • in

    Billie Holiday’s NYC Townhouse Just Hit the Market for $14 Million

    This New York City brownstone is the epitome of easy living.

    The former Upper West Side townhome of jazz legend Billie Holiday has just come onto the market and if you want to get your hands on the late singer’s historic digs, it’ll cost you close to $14 million. Listed with Douglas Elliman, the Renaissance Revival residence was recently renovated and received a few practical upgrades along the way. Although, it still maintains many of the original finishes from when it was built in the early 1900s. Holiday was said to have lived on the first floor during the last years of her life before she died in 1959. It’s also where she released her penultimate album, Lady in Satin.

    The 20-foot-wide, 6,300-square-foot townhouse is spread across six levels and comprises seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and two powder rooms. Modifications came about in 2017 when architect Amie Sachs and interior designer Fawn Galli were brought on to breathe new life into the space. Today, among its modern conveniences are a screening room with wallpaper designed by Lenny Kravitz, a temperature-controlled wine cellar and a curated backyard garden. Inside, you’ll also notice a ton of old-world detailing has been preserved. Think original mahogany doors, wood paneling and 10- to 12-foot ceilings.

    Billie Holiday’s former Upper West Side townhome has just listed for $13.9 million 

    Evan Joseph Photography

    On the parlor floor is a striking foyer that has a sparkling chandelier and herringbone oak flooring. Off the swanky main entry is the living room which comes with a soaring carved plaster ceiling and a stately fireplace. Nearby is a private office and state-of-the-art kitchen that’s been outfitted with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Bertazzoni range, two Fisher and Paykel dishwashers, marble countertops and a full wet bar. A formal dining room and powder room are also found on this level.
    Upstairs, the third floor is done up as a 1,100-square-foot primary suite. But honestly, it’s more like a personal sanctuary. Perks include a dressing room, fireplace and an uber-luxurious bathroom room that’s been decked out with heated floors, a soaking tub and marble detailing. You’ll also have access to your own private library. Elsewhere in the house is a skylight that exposes the arched brick abode to an ample amount of sun.

    The New York City townhouse was renovated in 2017 and comprises seven bedrooms and six baths 

    Evan Joseph Photography

    “Legacy properties always have a certain allure and cachet, especially in New York City,” listing agent Kelly Killoren Bensimon tells Mansion Global in an email. “New Yorkers love and adore their icons. Knowing that one of the most beloved storytellers of our time lived in a residence is a very strong selling point.”
    Click here to see all the photos of Billie Holiday’s former Upper West Side townhouse.

    Evan Joseph Photography More