Harlem: Bob Dylan's Former Townhouse Sold for $2.8 Million by Sotheby's International Realty

A Strivers’ Row townhouse in Harlem, once home to Bob Dylan, has sold for $2.8 million, in a deal first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The sale was handled by Sotheby’s International Realty, the international network to which Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty belongs. Built in 1893 by architect Stanford White, the five-bedroom residence found a buyer after listing for $3 million last year.

The sale illustrates a rule that also holds true in Paris: the value of a rare address never rests on price per square foot alone.

A House, a Quiet Chapter with Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan lived in this house from 1986 to 2000, fourteen years away from the spotlight. The singer kept a low profile there, within one of New York’s most carefully preserved architectural enclaves. The sale was handled by Colin Montgomery of the Sotheby’s International Realty East Side Manhattan brokerage, alongside colleague Stan Ponte.

Intact Architecture, a Discreet Way of Living

The five-bedroom, 19-foot-wide residence spans roughly 4,500 square feet across four floors and a cellar. It retains much of Stanford White’s original detailing: period mouldings, restored hardwood floors, pocket doors, six decorative fireplaces and a wood-panelled entry vestibule. Contemporary touches, radiant heating and a built-in wine fridge, were added without disturbing the home’s historic character.

A Sale That Confirms Strivers’ Row’s Strength

Strivers’ Row remains one of Harlem’s most sought-after townhouse enclaves. Prices there typically range between $2 million and $3 million. This transaction, near the top of that range despite a mid-listing price reduction, confirms the enduring appeal of these history-laden addresses.

• Sale price: $2.8 million
• Original asking price: $3 million
• Typical range for the enclave: $2 million to $3 million

These figures reflect the New York market. A personalised valuation remains essential to place an equivalent property in Paris.

What This Transaction Says About the Ultra-Prime Market

Beyond the Bob Dylan connection, this sale illustrates a pattern found wherever the ultra-prime market remains active: value never rests on price per square foot alone. It lives in an address, in preserved architecture, in a discreet way of inhabiting a place. In Paris and the western suburbs, the same standard applies to hôtels particuliers, Haussmannian apartments and rare residences across the 16th, 17th arrondissements, Neuilly-sur-Seine and Boulogne-Billancourt.

Property Valuation in Paris and Western Paris: Local Expertise You Can Trust

Do you own a rare or heritage property in Paris or the western suburbs? Our team applies the same reading of the market seen in Harlem: a rare address is valued first through its history and architecture. Request a free property valuation, backed by the international Sotheby’s International Realty network, present in 86 countries. Contact us at +33 1 46 22 27 27.

FAQ – Bob Dylan's Harlem Townhouse

How much did Bob Dylan’s Harlem house sell for?

The house sold for $2.8 million, after listing for $3 million last year. The price was later adjusted during the marketing period. The sale was handled by Colin Montgomery and Stan Ponte of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Where exactly is the house located?

The house sits at 265 West 139th Street, on Strivers’ Row, a landmarked enclave within Harlem’s historic district in New York. The area holds townhouses built in the late nineteenth century, now among Harlem’s most sought-after for their preserved architecture.

What are the house’s main features?

Built in 1893 by architect Stanford White, the five-bedroom residence spans roughly 4,500 square feet across four floors and a cellar. It retains period mouldings, original hardwood floors, six decorative fireplaces and a wood-panelled vestibule, alongside contemporary additions such as radiant heating.

Who were the sellers and buyers?

The sellers, retired attorney Isam Salah and former Elle editor-in-chief Elaina Richardson, had bought the house in 2018 for $3.17 million. The buyers, represented by Serhant, are described as a couple relocating from the suburbs to Harlem.

Why does this address hold so much value?

Value here rests on the rarity of the building, the intact Stanford White architecture and the history of the place. Working with a locally-rooted brokerage such as Sotheby’s International Realty plays a decisive role in presenting this type of property to a demanding, international clientele.

What does this sale mean for the Paris market?

This transaction confirms that a rare address and preserved architecture remain stronger value drivers than square footage alone. Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty applies the same reading of the market in Paris and the western suburbs, on rare and heritage properties.