Billie Holiday’s Former New York Address Asks $13.995 Million

Billie Holiday’s Former New York Address Asks $13.995 Million


The historic New York City townhouse that was once home to jazz legend Billie Holiday hit the market Wednesday for $13.995 million.

During the star’s tenure, which lasted until her death in 1959, Holiday was a resident of apartment 1B at the West 87th Street property, which is now laid out as a seven-bedroom single-family townhouse. She released one of her most famous albums, “Lady in Satin,” while she called the Upper West Side property home.


Built in the early 1900s and located just steps from Central Park, the six-story house combines its preserved period details with a recent full renovation, according to the listing with Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Lynne Mazin of Douglas Elliman.

Evan Joseph Photography

“Legacy properties always have a certain allure and cachet, especially in New York City,” Ms. Killoren Bensimon said over 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.”

Features such as mahogany doors, wood paneling and fireplaces sit alongside smart-home technology, a screening room and a wine cellar within the 6,300-square-foot home. Other perks include a library, and of course, its notable pedigree.


“The 20-foot wide residence is light and bright, which is unusual for a townhouse of this size,” Ms. Killoren Bensimon added.

“The details are also stunning; the Missoni carpets, the custom Lenny Kravitz-designed wallpaper and even the lighting, which is USAI and made for high-end art lighting,” she said. A humidification system services the whole house, and there’s a brand new multi-zoned central HVAC, as well as a commercial grade Wi-Fi system and Cat6 Internet network system, the agent said.

Evan Joseph Photography

The property last changed hands in 2017 for a little under $9.5 million, property records show. The sellers couldn’t be reached for comments.

Nicknamed “Lady Day,” Holiday is best known for songs including “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “All of Me.” She died at the age of 44, in New York, in 1959.