Real Housewives Of New York alum Kelly Killoren Bensimon has taken DailyMail.com on an exclusive tour of the lavish New York home where legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday spent her final years.
The stone renaissance, with eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, is on the market for $12.25 million and is being sold by the reality TV star turned realtor.
It was the home of the Strange Fruit singer until her untimely death at the age of 44 in 1959 as she celebrated her last birthday.
Spanning over 6,300 square feet, this 20-foot-wide townhouse has six lavish levels with seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two power rooms plus a landscaped back garden.
Legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday’s New York brownstone is on the market for $12.25 million
It was the home of the Strange Fruit singer (pictured circa 1939) until her untimely death at the age of 44 in 1959 as she celebrated her last birthday
and the West House 87th Street It comes with a rare New York feature: six fireplaces.
Its current owners purchased the property for $9.47 million in 2017, down from its original price of $12.95 million in 2015.
The family then hired famed architect Amy Sachs to do a complete renovation of the home, which now also includes 10-by-12-foot ceilings and two kitchens.
The repair included a fresh whitewash over the original oak paneled walls.
Kelly was particularly interested in the sale of the house, even insisting that all potential buyers remove their shoes.
“When I show, I always take my shoes off, so if I’m not in tights and I’m barefoot,” she said, adding, “People were constantly staring at my feet.”
The former reality TV star admitted: “I have a Wikifeet page — I obviously have really nice feet.”
Some other feature of the five storey house is the expansive skylight which lets in enough sunlight to surround the entire lobby and reception areas.
The brownstone Renaissance, with eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, was sold by Kelly Killorin Bensimon (pictured in the home)
This 20-foot-wide townhouse spans over 6,300 square feet and has six lavish levels.
And with it comes a rare New York feature: six fireplaces
Its current owners purchased the property for $9.47 million in 2017, down from its original price of $12.95 million in 2015.
Kelly was particularly interested in the sale of the house, even insisting that all potential buyers remove their shoes
Outside the stunning terrace garden has green tiles, dining and lounge area, heat lamp and braai
Newly installed white oak floors have underfloor heating, feature mahogany and maple detailing throughout.
The building’s plumbing and electrical systems, built in 1910, have been updated with modern upgraded functionality.
The home also has two washer and dryer rooms with an intercom system.
And of course no five-story home would be complete without the requisite temperature-controlled wine room.
Downstairs, the house has its own guest rooms with private entrance and garden access.
The brownstone also holds a cool media room that features wallpaper designed by rock star Lenny Kravitz, who created Kravitz Design in 2003.
Kelly has paid special attention to this feature. She was photographed on property and the following artwork shows the Strange Fruit singer inside her West 87th Street home
Featuring seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two powder rooms, it’s worth its estimated multi-million dollar price tag
Bailey released one of her most famous albums, Lady in Satin, in 1958 while she was living at home, just a year before her death.
The family hired renowned architect Amy Sachs to do a complete renovation of the two-kitchen home
The lower level of the house has its own guest rooms with private entrance and access to the garden
The building’s plumbing and electrical systems, built in 1910, have been updated with modern upgraded functionality
One of many New York Brownstone bedrooms on West 87th Street
This quarter features a fully open plan kitchen featuring sleek concrete counter tops, Fischer and Paykel fridge freezer, Miele dishwasher, Kitchen Aid stove and range hood.
Off the media room is an intimate office area overlooking the garden.
An en-suite bathroom with dual sinks, rainfall showerhead, and herringbone tiles completes the freestanding unit.
Outside the stunning terrace garden has green tiles, dining and lounge area, heat lamp and braai.
One of six stunning bathrooms with herringbone tiles
Not only will this home’s new owners purchase a stunning property, but it will also be a part of Jazz history
Bailey released one of her most famous albums, Lady in Satin, a year before her death while she was living at home.
The current owners have honored Billy with a hanging artwork of the star, who died at the age of 44 in 1959.
Downstairs, the house has its own guest rooms with private entrance and garden access
The building’s plumbing and electrical systems, built in 1910, have been updated with modern upgraded functionality
Newly installed white oak floors have underfloor heating and feature mahogany and maple detailing throughout
Bailey (pictured second left) died on July 17, 1959, of pulmonary edema and heart failure caused by drug-induced liver disease.
Not only will this home’s new owners purchase a stunning property, but it will also be a part of Jazz history.
Bailey released one of her most popular albums, Lady in Satin, a year before her death while she was living at home.
The artist made a name for herself after performing the song of the century, Strange Fruit – a protest song against the lynchings of black Americans, in 1939.
The song has sold over a million records, becoming one of Billy’s best-selling records.
Towards the end of Bailey’s life, she was arrested for drug possession while on her deathbed at the nearby Metropolitan Hospital Center in East Harlem.
Unfortunately, Bailey passed away on July 17, 1959, from pulmonary edema and heart failure caused by liver disease, which had been caused by her substance abuse.
