Joan Rivers' opulent Manhattan penthouse is currently on the market – look inside this 'haunted' property
The home was reportedly occupied by the ghost of a former resident who damaged Joan Rivers's chandelier
The extravagant New York home of the late Joan Rivers has just entered the market – with an asking price of $38 million.
See: World's best homes – step inside the globe's most beautiful houses
Joan Rivers lived in the penthouse throughout the peak of her career as a comedian, author, actress, and television host. She was celebrated for her bold comedic persona, alongside her starring roles on The Joan Rivers Show and, most recently, the Fashion Police before her death in 2014. The apartment was sold later that year for $28 million.
See: Living room ideas – clever ways to decorate living spaces
Situated a short hop from Fifth Avenue, Joan's luxurious penthouse was exquisitely designed as a utopia for Manhattan's stylish socialites by esteemed architect Horace Trumbauer in 1903.
After moving to the home in the late '80s, Joan re-decorated the interiors yet preserved the decor style sympathetic to the neo-French Classic style architecture. In the years that followed, the exceptionally luxe space welcomed a host of dignitaries and celebrities, including Princess Diana.
The luscious apartment oozes elegance and majesty throughout its 11 rooms – including four grand bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a living area with five wood-burning fireplaces and two ornate terraces. There is also a sophisticated paneled library and – the pièce de résistance of the property – a ballroom – which mirrors the eloquent aesthetic of the Palace of Versailles.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
While the apartment's interiors are overwhelmingly magnificent, the exteriors are equally as impressive. The balcony is complete with unparalleled views across the prestigious Upper East Side neighborhood, including Central Park.
- See: Dining room ideas – the best decor, layouts and designs schemes for dining areas
Was Joan Rivers's penthouse haunted?
Despite its unrivaled ambiance and elegant interiors, Joan Rivers reported the apartment was haunted by a ghost in the form of what was believed to be the former owner, Mrs. Spencer.
Joan shared that the ghost had damaged the chandelier and consequently sought help from a voodoo priestess to eradicate the spirit throughout the building. It is believed that Joan found an old painting of Mrs. Spencer in the basement and hung it in the hallway with a vase of flowers as a peace offering to the spirit.
The penthouse is currently listed by Jenny Lenz of Dolly Lenz Real Estate for $38 million.
Images courtesy of Top Ten Real Estate Deals.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
How to make your own cinnamon oil for cleaning – and 5 areas of the home you can put it to work
There's 2 easy ways to make it
By Karina Toner Published
-
HVAC pros reveal if you should close vents in unused rooms – the answer feels counter-intuitive but it's true
Closing them could overwork your system and actually COST you money
By Andy van Terheyden Published