Taylor Swift name-checks former Greenwich Village rental house in new song ‘Cornelia Street’
Listing photos by Chris Riccio, courtesy of the Corcoran Group
In all of Taylor Swift’s $84 million real estate portfolio–including almost $50 million worth of property in downtown NYC–only the pop megastar’s former rental at 23 Cornelia Street gets a mention on “Lover,” the just-released album enjoying a typically frenzied response from her vast and loyal fan base. In fact, the Greenwich Village address gets its own track: “Cornelia Street” references tender memories of the carriage house Swift was renting for $39,500 a month from Soho House executive David Aldea in 2016 while renovations were underway at an $18 million Tribeca townhouse she’d bought. In the song, she tells a new squeeze “I rent a place on Cornelia Street.”
The impressive pad, which recently sold, was far from the usual rental even by Village standards, possessed of a private pool, garage, and rooftop with city views. In the song, as the love affair progresses, Swift tells us she’d “never walk Cornelia Street again,” if the relationship ended.
Overall, the 21-foot wide townhouse features four bedrooms, five baths, and two half-baths. The property boasts unique design elements, including double-height ceilings, three original fireplaces, and hardwood floors. The living room comes with a dramatic glass chandelier, patio access, and tons of wall space to show off artwork.
The room with the indoor swimming pool has Basalt stone tile floor, double-height ceilings, and a chandelier. The pool itself measures 30 feet by 15 feet.
The third floor includes both master suites, which feature floor-to-ceiling custom windows that overlook Cornelia Street. The larger of the two bedrooms has a dual sink bathroom with two entrances. A separate bath connects to a private terrace, which includes an outdoor gas fireplace.
The young real estate mogul–whose words may well be referring to current boyfriend Joe Alwyn in the couple’s early days–would have plenty of options even if she had to cross Cornelia Street–or the entire surrounding neighborhood–off her hangout list. That $84 million portfolio includes eight properties in four states.
Architectural Digest takes inventory of Taylor Swift’s many homes, from her first buy, a $2 million condo on Nashville’s Music Row, to a 12,000-square-foot, seven-bedroom home in Watch Hill, Rhode Island overlooking Block Island Sound and Montauk Point, purchased in 2013 for $17.75 million. That purchase was topped by a $25 million Beverly Hills mansion that once belonged to Hollywood legend Samuel Goldwyn that Swift plans to turn into a historic landmark. She also owns another Beverly Hills home, now on the market for $2.85 million, and a 5,600-square-foot Greek Revival estate in Nashville worth an estimated $2.5 million.
In New York City, the Pennsylvania native’s properties are suitably impressive. In 2014 Swift purchased a combo of two penthouses at 155 Franklin Street in Tribeca for $20 million, adding up to 8,309 square feet and 10 bedrooms worth of condo fabulousness. That buy was followed in 2017 by an $18 million townhouse next door at 153 Franklin Street. The three-story historic home was built in 1915 and fully renovated by architect and designer Leopoldo Rosati. In 2018, the singer pounced on a $9.75 million apartment at 155 Franklin, bringing her total real estate holdings on one downtown block to an estimated $47.7 million.
Swift, who turns 30 this December, is worth $360 million according to Business Insider. Her 2018 “Reputation” stadium tour was the highest-grossing tour in US history, raking in over $266 million. Rumor has it she owns two private jets, making it easier to drop in on her sprawling collection of homes. She’s said to be generous with her millions: After her “1989” world tour, Swift sent her 125-person band and crew on an Australian getaway. She also gives loads of money to charitable causes and non-profit arts and education organizations both large and small.
Though it might seem ironic that of all that real estate, the dwelling that achieved pop-song immortality was a fabulous-but-fleeting rental, it underscores the point that unlike most American towns, New York City is a renters’ city, millionaire celebrities included. And while real estate may command top dollar and bold headlines, home is wherever the memories are made.
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All photos by Chris Riccio, courtesy of the Corcoran Group
