Courtney Love’s one-time West Village townhouse rental lists for $11.25M after a stylish makeover
After struggling on and off the market for six years, the historic Greenwich Village townhouse made infamous when Courtney Love rented it for $27,000/month is trying again after a super-stylish makeover. Back in 2011, the owner of 250 West 10th Street, Donna Lyon, took Love to court on the grounds that she had done more than $100,000 worth of interior damages, including decorating it in a style not to the owner’s liking and setting a minor fire, as well as owed $54,000 in back rent. Love ended up winning the eviction battle, but soon thereafter moved out, from which time the place has been trying to find a buyer, first listing for $8.4 million, then jumping up to $11.5 and back down to $9. But it’s now received a super-stylish makeover more akin to its pre-Love look, which he been done by previous owner and architect/designer Steven Gambrel. With lacquered walls, six original marble fireplaces, and a newly renovated French-bistro outdoor patio, the home is now asking $11.25 million.
Steven Gambrel bought the 1826-built home in 2005 for $2.6 million and then undertook a lengthy renovation that converted it from an SRO back to a single-family residence. He sold it in 2010 to Lyon’s company Astor Street Partners for $7,640,000. Love moved in in early 2011, and 10 months later the legal drama began. At the time, Lyon told the Post:
[The house] was decorated by the previous owner, interior designer Steven Gambrel. One of the requirements of the lease is that nothing should be done to the interiors. Courtney has wallpapered and painted a large portion of the property without my consent. I learned about this when I wanted to sell the house and had photographs taken. They sent me the brochure and I said, “This can’t be my property.” I came to New York to see it and I was horrified by what she had done. The walls that had been hand-painted and glazed were ruined, covered in damask wallpaper and ice-blue paint.”
Ultimately, Love’s lawyer was able to prove that she did, in fact, pay her rent on time, but when her lease expired in February she moved out anyway.
By the looks of the new listing photos, Lyons has attempted to go back to the Gambrel vibes in an attempt to finally unload the place. Spread over 3,000 square feet, there are three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two powder rooms. It’s been outfitted with the aforementioned lacquered walls and doors, Nanz custom hardware, and French milled floors, while preserving its historic details classical marble fireplaces, double-wide windows, and moldings and brickwork.
On the lower level, the eat-in kitchen boasts custom lacquered cabinets, stainless countertops, and a newly added stainless steel butler’s pantry. The brick walls and brick fireplace have been preserved with enough space for a cozy sitting area.
On the fourth floor is the master bedroom, which has its own wood-burning fireplace, a custom marble bathroom, and a large dressing room.
The other bedroom on the fourth floor also has a fireplace, as well as a sky-lit bathroom and a custom closet with dressing room.
Prior to moving to West 10th Street, Courtney Love rented another historic townhouse in Chelsea. Perhaps seeing her former homes on the market will give her the real estate bug again…
[Listing: 250 West 10th Street by John Gomes, Frederik Eklund, and Jordan Shea of Douglas Elliman]
