NYC homes of Meryl Streep, Russel Simmons, and Toni Morrison among March 2021's celebrity deals

Apartments linked to Russell Simmons, Jennifer Connelly, Meryl Streep, and Will Smith all saw activity in March 2021

In the world of New York real estate, a famous name can often be used to drum up interest in a certain listing. However, that isn't always enough to translate to a higher, faster, sale - some homes that celebrities purchased or sold in Mach 2021 were only on the market briefly, while it took more time for others to attract attention.

All images of 9 East 71st Street via The Modlin GroupThe massive Upper East Side townhouse belonging to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein entered contract at the beginning of March, and the New York Post identified the buyer as Michael Daffey, a former Goldman Sachs executive. Mr. Daffey plans to live in the house with his wife, but they will not be moving in until it has undergone “a complete makeover, physically and spiritually.” The Post also reports that he plans to sell his current New York apartment, a Noho duplex penthouse with a rooftop hot tub, but it has not yet been listed.

From the listing:
The Herbert N. Straus Mansion was the last and largest of just a handful of goliath mansions built during its era in the 1930s and it would become the capstone property of the wealthiest and most prominent block of all of New York City. Its gargantuan size and opulence is perhaps only outdone by its unique location on the Upper East Side's most desired block flanked by Central Park on Fifth Avenue and St. James' Church on Madison Avenue. The property is uniquely positioned as the perpetual and unobtrusive perspective overlooking the Frick Museum to Central Park can never be blocked by new construction, a rarity in the ever-growing New York City landscape. Upon purchase of the property in 1928 by Herbert N. Straus, heir to Isidor and Ida Straus, co-owners of renowned retailers R. H. Macy & Co., the mansion was commissioned to be built in 1930. Mr. Straus specifically chose Society Architect Horace Trumbauer, known for his particular adept proficiency in designing palaces for the rich. Mr. Trumbauer's reputation for creating lavish residential manors for the wealthy allowed the accomplished architect to build the largest and most luxurious residences of the times. The Herbert N. Straus Mansion remains among Trumbauer's most well-known works and contributed to his praise as one of the most prominent American architect of the Gilded Age.

11 East 69th Street via The Modlin GroupSome have speculated that between the coronavirus pandemic and higher taxes, New York’s wealthiest might be preparing to leave the city. It may be a little early to call this a trend, but those were the reasons David Levinson, chairman and CEO of L&L Holding, gave for selling his Upper East Side mansion. The New York Post reports that it entered contract for more than $50 million, or more than five times the $9.5 million he and his wife paid for it in 2004, and The Wall Street Journal identified the buyer as Australian hedge fund manager Greg Coffey.All images of The Parkville via CompassLike a growing class of billionaires, hedge fund executive Joseph Edelman has put his Park Avenue triplex on the market. But unlike some of his contemporaries, he isn’t making the exodus to Florida - according to The Wall Street Journal, which broke the news of the sale, Mr. Edelman plans to stay in New York. The co-op’s listing price of $33.2 million is not too far above the $30.55 million he paid for it in 2008.

From the listing:
Located within a full service boutique pre-war condominium, this exceptional 12 room penthouse residence is uniquely complemented by 3 magnificent landscaped terraces. The private elevator landing leads to a gracious entrance gallery, a grand double sized living room (31' x 16') with soaring 10' coffered ceilings, hardwood herringbone floors, and a limestone gas-burning fireplace, a stately formal dining room, a distinguished wood paneled library. The dazzling, sun flooded gourmet eat-in-chef's kitchen is appointed with copious bespoke cabinetry detailed with elegant copper finishes, granite countertops, Ann Sacks tiled backsplash, 6 burner La Cornue gas range and hood, Subzero refrigerator, and 2 Bosch dishwashers is a chef's dream come true!

The Parkville has 1 available listing for $33.2M.All images of 19 West 12th Street via Sotheby's (Meryl Streep photo by Montclair Film - CC BY 2.0, )If the walls of this West Village townhouse could talk, there would be much to say about the successful women who called it home. Meryl Streep bought the townhouse for $2.1 million in 1995; ten years later, she sold it to Johnson & Johnson heiress Liebet Johnson for $9.5 million. Ms. Johnson rented it to Diandra Douglas, Michael Douglas’ first wife, and the New York Post identified its most recent owner as Elisabeth de Kegorlay, founder of frozen food line Babeth’s Feast. She sold it for about half its original asking price of $35 million.

From the listing:
A meticulously restored 1845 Greek Revival elevator townhouse on one of the best blocks of Greenwich Village’s landmark-protected Gold Coast. At 25’ wide on a 106’ lot, the 5 story house measures 6,750 square feet with a 1,250-square-foot basement and 2,750 square feet of beautifully landscaped gardens and terraces. With a rich architectural, social and cultural history, 19 West 12th Street has been home to luminaries in the fields of law, the performing arts and philanthropy.

The light-flooded parlor floor includes a gracious entry, a well-proportioned living Room and a dining room which overlooks a terrace through a wall of French doors. A wet bar and powder room complete this floor. Upstairs are three large bedrooms, each with an en-suite travertine bathroom and ample closets, a library/media room, a study, and a powder room. The fifth floor boasts a dramatic sky-lit primary bedroom suite with ceilings rising to 15’, an adjacent sky-lit dressing room and an oversized primary bathroom finished in fine Calacatta marble. A roof garden enjoys expansive views of the southern city skyline.

All images of 55 East 74th Street via CompassBefore her death in 1962, Eleanor Roosevelt lived on the Upper East Side and entertained the likes of President John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev in her townhouse. That rich history failed to entice when its most recent owners listed it for $19.95 million in 2018; following a significant renovation, The Real Deal announces that it is back on the market.

From the listing:
Have it all with this historic townhouse in pristine condition and modernized for life today. Designed by Buchman and Deisler in 1898 and once home to Eleanor Roosevelt, the expansive limestone landmark has played host to New York's most notable and remains an entertainer's dream today, comfortably accommodating up to 500 guests. Located in a super-prime location among a row of eight equally well-maintained townhomes, this six-bedroom, 5.5-bath residence offers the best version of Manhattan living, now and tomorrow. After arriving outside a gated entry and distinctive two-story bowed facade, step inside a columned portico and two sets of twin iron grille doors to a grand scale entertaining space with 12-foot ceilings and a Louis XIV chandelier.

Beyond, a modern, sun-filled kitchen features a banquette and oversized center island for casual dining, with a media room bathed in natural light from 10-foot skylights and rear garden following. In fact, most of the townhouse's five floors offer functioning outdoor space, often with iconic views of The Carlyle Hotel and Central Park. Continuing the soaring 12-foot ceilings, the parlor level has played host to countless cultural and political icons, from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev to Prince Edward and Leonard Bernstein.

All images of The Gramercy via Evan Joseph for Sotheby'sAccording to 6sqft, The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon’s holdings in “New York’s first cooperative” have come a long way from the single seventh-floor unit he purchased in 2002. The penthouse he shares with wife Nancy Juvonen and their children is a combination of four apartments spread over three floors and renovated with rare vintage wallpaper, custom furniture, a sound studio-turned-pantry, a hidden playroom, a “saloon room,” and primary suite with built-in massage bed.

From the listing:
Celebrating the bones and architecture of the famed 34 Gramercy Park East, while transforming the space into a singularly enhancing home, this jewel box is perched atop the southwest corner of the historic landmark. Features of the approximately 4,950 square-foot home include original, restored window frames and casings throughout, original, restored hardwood floors throughout, and the highest quality fixtures and finishes combined with a curated collection of treasured vintage and antique finds from around the world. Enter this imaginative space via the seventh floor and into a gracious entry foyer.

Off the entry is an elegantly proportioned living room, papered in rare vintage wallpaper from the 1940s and paneled in skewed wood-planking designed by Bednark. A plush custom sofa and in-ceiling projector make this room the perfect place for casual gatherings. Move into the west-facing eat-in kitchen, the heart of the home, which has awe-inspiring views over Gramercy Park, featuring state-of-the-heart home appliances, and custom cabinetry with E.R. Butler hardware.

The Gramercy has 2 available listings from $1.6M.All images of 13 Leroy Street via The Modlin Group (Will Smith photo vy TechCrunch - TechCrunch Disrupt 2019, CC BY 2.0, )Will Smith shot to stardom in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but in real life, it would seem he has an affinity for West Village townhouses: A few years after renting a townhouse on St. Luke’s Place while shooting Ali, he paid $60,000/month for a Leroy Street townhouse while shooting another movie in the city. The New York Post reports that the Leroy Street townhouse is now for sale, and it has recently entered contract.

From the listing:
One-of-a-kind, elegant and spectacularly designed four story, extra-wide townhouse that has been featured in The New York Times. Located on a discreetly quiet street in the best West Village neighborhood, this property is enhanced by access to the separate outdoor living areas, in addition to a private elevator and garage.

The details and architectural features of this home are unsurpassed and all meticulously installed. There is a state-of-the-art European kitchen with two dishwashers, a large pantry and expansive work surfaces. Adjacent to the kitchen is a large dining area that feels intimate but can also accommodate 14 people comfortably for a seated dinner. The living room area is lit by a massive skylight and framed by exposed brick walls. The kitchen, dining and living areas have 16' ceilings and under-floor radiant heating. In addition, there is a light-filled Zen garden with a winterized Japanese Koi pond with new filtration system that traverses the interior and exterior of this magnificent home.

All images of 17 Prospect Park West via Douglas EllimanBetween Snowpiercer and WandaVision, power couple Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany have spent quite a bit of time in the headlines for their critically acclaimed TV shows as of late. Their real estate holdings are back in the spotlight as well: A Park Slope mansion they previously owned was on the market as a whisper listing last fall, but has officially returned to the market with a small price cut, per the New York Post.

From the listing:
This limestone mansion perched on Prospect Park is certainly among New York City's most spectacular homes. Replete with turn-of-the-century detail yet finished with the most modern amenities, perfectly integrated to create a seamless and breathtaking masterpiece which is both boundlessly elegant and so easy to live in. Built in 1899, and designed by renowned architect Montrose W. Morris, this mansion sits on the corner of Prospect Park West and Carroll Street. Featuring utterly glorious original detail throughout including stained glass windows, mahogany columns, herringbone floors and delicately carved mantels and five working gas fireplaces, to name but a few. Sun floods into the home from three sides, including the largest with south facing exposure.

All images of 24 East 20th Street via Travis Mark for Sotheby'sMany associate artist/filmmaker Julian Schnabel with Palazzo Chupi, the West Village stable-turned-luxury condo. But following a conversion in the 1970s, he lived in a Gramercy loft that combines historic architecture and artistic expression. Indeed, according to the listing, Mr. Schnabel designed the eat-in kitchen.

From the listing:
Palatial in size, dramatic in volume and creative in vision, this loft beauty is a masterpiece. Old and new become one in a perfect union of authentic architecture and artistic freedom. The loft is comprised of one full floor, a mezzanine floor library and a half floor work space plus guest suite. The full floor is 74' wide by 70' deep and the half floor approx. 26' by 70' with soaring ceiling heights ranging from 11.5 feet to 26.5 feet high. There are 32 windows including 16 north facing offering treetop views of historic East 20th Street and the iconic Met Life building.

The drama begins when the elevator opens into the foyer revealing a breathtaking expanse of open living. This quintessential loft offers sliding wall flexibility, separating or concealing the private spaces from public view. The public space includes two living spaces, a media area, formal dining area and a dramatic floating mezzanine library with custom steel book shelving.

24 East 20th Street has 1 available listing for $9.995M.520 West 28th Street (Compass)(Corcoran)Entertainment lawyer John Singer counts several bold-faced names among his clients, and the same can be said of his new building - the New York Post reports that he is in contract to buy an apartment at the Zaha Hadid-designed 520 West 28th Street. Past and current residents have included Sting, Trudie Styler, and Ariana Grande.

From the listing:
Grand and loft-like, this generously-scaled home measures 3,840 square feet interior and 162 square feet exterior. The extraordindary 800 square foot Great Room boasts lovely southeast views of the Chelsea skyline, the High Line, and the verdant new sculpture garden – with a perfect balcony to soak it all in. The separate kitchen by Boffi with Gaggenau appliances opens onto a gracious family room to offer an ideal informal living space. A luxurious primary suite with dual walk-in closets plus three additional bedrooms with en-suite baths, wet bar, utility room, powder room, and overscaled art walls perfect this remarkable home.

520 West 28th Street has 3 available listings from $4.95M.All images of 4 Sutton Place via Ryan Lahiff/Rise Media for The Corcoran GroupAfter completing her service as U.S. ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy Smith bought a grand apartment in the Rosario Candela-designed 4 Sutton Place and entertained such luminaries as Seamus Heaney, Lauren Bacall, Bill Whelan, and Phyllis Newman. Ms. Smith died last June, and The New York Times reported that her estate has listed the apartment.

From the listing:
Formerly the long-time residence of President John F. Kennedy’s (youngest) sister, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, who, among other achievements, played a pivotal role in advancing peace in Northern Ireland after decades of violence, this notable residence is a must-see. Occupying the 6th and 7th floors of this intimate 9-unit building, this stately yet gracious residence offers the opportunity to re-imagine and design the home of your dreams.

Presently configured as a 4 bedroom, 4 and a half bathroom duplex with a connected 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment, it is filled with an array of distinctive features throughout including two entry galleries, classic windowed staircase, picturesque East River and bridge views, four exposures, five romantic Juliet balconies, three wood-burning fireplaces, crown and baseboard moldings, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and central air. Spacious rooms of grand proportions on the main level include a corner living room with a wood-burning fireplace and three Juliet balconies, adjacent wood-paneled library with its own fireplace, formal dining room with a wall of windows and Juliet balcony, and the generously-sized eat-in chef’s kitchen. All of which allow for effortless day-to-day living or seamless entertaining for groups large or small. There is a laundry room, powder room, and two bedrooms with en-suite baths.

4 Sutton Place has 3 available listings from $795K.All images of 108 Leonard Street credit of DBOX via Douglas EllimanAs Zoe Jackson works on Life on the Edge, a new docuseries with her father, Samuel L. Jackson, she will be able to do it from a new Tribeca home base: The New York Post identified her as the buyer of a four-bedroom apartment in the landmarked 108 Leonard. Appropriately enough for a producer of Top Chef and Project Runway, the apartment features a chef’s kitchen and walk-in closet.

From the listing:
This 2,467-square-foot 4-bedroom, 4-bath residence features unrivaled quality and composition. Upon arrival, the entry gallery leads to an exceptional Great Room. Gorgeous wide plank gray oak flooring arranged in a chevron pattern runs throughout entertaining and transitional spaces. Custom designed by Jeffrey Beers International exclusively for 108 Leonard, Scavolini kitchen cabinetry is featured in an open plan with a Calacatta Vagli marble countertop, backsplash, and waterfall island replete with supplemental storage and ideal for both every day and occasional entertaining. Generously proportioned, the kitchen is outfitted with premium Miele appliances including a 5 -burner gas cooktop with vented hood, combi steam/convection oven, electric speed oven and wine refrigerator.

108 Leonard has 17 available listings from $1.775M.All images of 114 Liberty Street via The Modlin GroupAfter nine years, several discounts, and accusations of sexual misconduct, music mogul Russell Simmons has found a buyer for his Financial District condo at more than half its original asking price. The New York Post announced the sale and identified the buyer only as “a New York-based hedge fund manager.”

From the listing:
With approximately 7,175 square feet of interior space and approximately 3,500 square feet of planted terraces, this is the ultimate downtown residence. A private landing leads you to phenomenal entertaining areas with soaring 12' ceilings, living room, dining room, screening room, huge chef's kitchen with breakfast room, library w/gas fireplace, 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and a powder room. In addition there is a staff room with full bath, laundry room, and closets galore.

Four exposures, barrel vaulted ceilings and handsome oak strip floors add to the uniqueness of this property. The grand circular and architectural staircase takes you to the upper level which houses the sun flooded grand primary suite, two huge setback terraces, a very cozy den, a kitchenette and much more. One must visit this property and experience the captivating aura of light, views, grand scale and drama.

114 Liberty Street has 1 available listing for $6.5M.All images of Hotel des Artistes via Warburg RealtyWhile artist Leroy Neiman is perhaps best remembered for his sketches of sporting events and “Man at his Leisure” series in Playboy, he also found abundant inspiration on the Upper West Side. He bought a duplex at the Hotel des Artistes sight unseen in 1962, and lived there until his death in 2012. Its most recent owners originally listed it for $5.3 million last year, and the New York Post reports that it is back on the market at a slight discount.

From the listing:
This sunny south-facing duplex on the 15th and 16th floors of the legendary Hotel des Artistes, once owned by famed artist Leroy Neiman, offers the best of both worlds – a modern renovation that complements the meticulously restored prewar details. The juxtaposition of old and new is evident upon entering the duplex's lower level. It features a stained-glass original entry window off a proper foyer, which has custom built-in closets and a well-placed modern powder room.

The sun-flooded main living space, with a side view of the Park, has been thoughtfully transformed into a loft like ~30 foot-long great room that features a decorative original plaster ceiling and an oversized wood-burning fireplace with original oak mantle. A top-of-the-line chef's kitchen with calacatta marble countertops, a 4-burner + griddle Wolf stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator and farmhouse sink opens up to the great room. The second level currently features 2 well-sized bedrooms and an oversized windowed landing which is configured as a den, but can easily be changed back to its original 3-bedroom layout or closed off to create a more private office.

Hotel des Artistes has 6 available listings from $1.995M.All images of The Textile Building via Brown Harris StevensAbout five months since her estate listed it, the Tribeca apartment of Toni Morrison has entered contract (h/t New York Post). Alas, the Pulitzer and Nobel laureate’s book collection is not part of the sale, but the apartment does still feature the third bedroom she used as her library and personal writing room.

From the listing:
Beautifully and artfully renovated, this loft features an open kitchen with gourmet appliances and ample storage, a massive open living and dining room with a gas fireplace, and spectacular northern exposures across Manhattan's skyline. The primary suite has a huge dressing area and walk in closet with custom built ins, and a bright, spa-like bathroom with double sinks, a soaking tub, and a glass rain shower. The main bedroom is a sunny open corner facing north and east with spectacular views. The guest bedroom has access to a full bath with a Japanese soaking tub, there is a large laundry room. The third bedroom has been converted into a library and writing room, but could easily be returned to its former use.

Schedule an Appointment

To tour any of these properties, just complete the information below.

By continuing, you agree to receive text messages and calls at the number provided from CityRealty.com or other real estate professionals, andMore >

Related Articles

• From Riverside Dr./West End Ave.25 luxury condos with Best Picture-caliber screening roomsFriday, February 9, 2024
• From Get To KnowTop 6 ways to add value to your NYC apartment before sellingMonday, February 5, 2024
• From Get To KnowFrom Madonna to Taylor Swift: NYC Buildings that Famous Female Singers Have Called HomeFriday, February 2, 2024
• From Get To KnowHow New York City's most famous neighborhoods got their namesThursday, February 1, 2024
• From Great ListingsPrice Cuts: $4.5M off Urban Glass House penthouse; Fifth Avenue maisonette reduced by $3MWednesday, January 17, 2024
• From Great ListingsPrice Cuts: Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s Park Avenue apartment reduced by $250K; Classic eight on Fifth Avenue gets $750K haircutFriday, December 29, 2023
• From Great ListingsCathedral Ceilings: NYC homes with double-height spaces ready for your 12-foot Douglas FirTuesday, December 12, 2023
• From Future New YorkNew Development Model Homes Showcasing the Latest Design TrendsFriday, December 8, 2023