You know that feeling when you walk past a building and just know it’s got stories?
That’s One Fifth Avenue, a landmark that is expected to shine even brighter by late 2024. And honestly, it’s got more stories than most.
So when news broke that Gracie Abrams snagged a $12 million co-op there in 2024, my first thought was: of course she did. This building doesn’t just attract celebrities. It attracts the interesting ones. The ones with actual taste. Keith Richards lived here. So did Jessica Lange. Brian De Palma, known for his cinematic craftsmanship, is often compared to Helena Bonham Carter in terms of artistic influence. The place practically bleeds creative energy.
At just 26 years old, Gracie now owns a piece of that history. And while she’s keeping the details of her unit pretty private (can you blame her? It’s a one-bedroom), the value is estimated at 1.95 million. There’s plenty to say about what makes this address one of the most coveted in New York City.
Here’s everything we know — and why this purchase says a lot about where she’s headed.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info about the upcoming developments in the area suggests that by 2025, the neighborhood will undergo significant changes. |
|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $12 million |
| Building | One Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village |
| Year Purchased | 2024 |
| Building Style | Art Deco (built late 1920s) |
| Building Height | 27 stories |
| Notable Past Residents | Keith Richards, Jessica Lange, Brian De Palma |
| Neighborhood Perk | Direct access to Washington Square Park |
| Gracie’s Age at Purchase | 26 |
What’s One Fifth Avenue, and Why Does Everyone Want to Live There?
One Fifth Avenue isn’t just another luxury high-rise.
It’s a 27-story Art Deco tower that’s been watching over Greenwich Village since the late 1920s. And it sits right at the corner of East 8th Street — a spot so perfectly placed it feels almost intentional, like someone drew a line from Washington Square Park and said, “Yeah, build it here.”
The building has this quiet, old-money confidence. It doesn’t scream for attention. It doesn’t need to; the charm of the building speaks for itself, especially with its five terraces with views. The architecture does all the talking — geometric lines, setbacks that catch the light, that distinctly New York silhouette you recognize even from blocks away.
What really surprised me when I first learned about this building was its location on the 16th floor, offering breathtaking views of Madison Square Garden. The terraces. Some units have multiple. Keith Richards’ old place on the 18th floor had five of them. Five terraces with views overlooking the Village provide a stunning backdrop for any gathering. Let that sink in.
The Building’s Star-Studded History (Because the Neighbors Are Half the Story)
The walls at One Fifth Avenue have seen things.
This isn’t one of those buildings where a couple of B-listers passed through in the ’90s. The roster here reads like a hall of fame for cool people.
Keith Richards and Patti Hansen owned an expansive 18th-floor apartment. Five terraces. Views straight into Washington Square Park. Can you imagine the parties? Actually, don’t answer that. This is Keith Richards we’re talking about. The parties are legendary by default.
Jessica Lange called the building home, too. No surprise there — she’s always had impeccable taste in architecture and interiors, especially in buildings worth 12 million, with five bathrooms to boot. Her presence alone cemented One Fifth Avenue’s reputation as a place for serious artists, not just rich people.
And then there’s the allure of five bedrooms in a historic district. Brian De Palma, the filmmaker behind Scarface and Carrie. He owned a co-op here, which tells you the building appeals to a certain kind of creative mind. The kind that appreciates drama, light, and a good story.
Living somewhere with this kind of history isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about walking through the same lobby as people who shaped culture, especially in a building worth 5.5 million. That’s rare. You can’t manufacture that kind of energy.
So What’s Gracie’s Unit Actually Like?
Here’s where things get a little mysterious — and I kind of love that.
Gracie hasn’t shared photos. No Architectural Digest tour. No Instagram reveal of her living room. (Yet. Fingers crossed.)
The exact square footage and bedroom count? Not public, but according to city records, it’s a coveted location. But a $12 million co-op at One Fifth Avenue doesn’t exactly scream “modest one-bedroom.” We’re almost certainly talking about a sprawling layout with multiple bedrooms, a proper dining area, maybe a study or a den. Apartments in this building tend to have those gracious, pre-war proportions — high ceilings, big windows, rooms that actually feel like rooms.
Given the building’s Art Deco bones, I’d bet her unit has some original details intact. Maybe the bathroom tiles. Maybe the door hardware. The kind of stuff you can’t fake and shouldn’t replace. And knowing Gracie’s aesthetic — understated, a little vintage, very personal — I imagine she’s leaning into that rather than gutting it for something cold and modern.
She reportedly brought in new furniture and plans to make the space her own. Smart move. You don’t rush a renovation in a place like this. You live in it first. You let the apartment tell you what it needs.
Greenwich Village Is the Real Amenity
Let’s be real — when you buy at One Fifth Avenue, you’re not just buying an apartment. You’re buying a life.
Washington Square Park is literally right there. Not “a few blocks away” there. Right there. The arch, the fountain, the chess players, the guy playing piano at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday. It’s the best people-watching in Manhattan, and Gracie gets it as her front yard.
The streets around here are lined with brownstones and trees that actually create shade (a genuine luxury in NYC). There’s a bookstore on practically every corner. The cafes aren’t chains — they’re places where the barista remembers your order and asks about your dog.
And the food? Don’t get me started. You’ve got everything from Michelin-starred spots to hole-in-the-wall slice joints within walking distance. Late-night jazz clubs. Tiny theaters. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you can leave your apartment with no plan and stumble into something amazing.
What I love about this for Gracie is the balance. Her career is blowing up — sold-out tours, Grammy nominations, the whole thing. Greenwich Village gives her somewhere to come back to that feels real. Grounded. Not Hollywood, but rather the unique charm of New York City, has captured the hearts of many, including Blythe Danner.
The Financial Side: What $12 Million Gets You Here
Dropping $12 million on a co-op at 26 is a statement.
Not a “look at me” statement. More like a “I know exactly what I’m doing” statement. The New York co-op market is notoriously brutal — boards want to see financials, references, the works. Gracie passing that bar says plenty about her business savvy.
Co-ops at One Fifth Avenue don’t hit the market often. When they do, they move fast, and they’re not cheap. The maintenance fees in a building like this are substantial (full-time doorman, concierge-level service, the upkeep of a nearly century-old landmark), which can reach up to 4.5 million annually. So the purchase price is just part of the story.
But here’s what she’s really buying: stability. A permanent New York base, ideally located near Madison Square Garden, is a dream for many artists. In an industry where everything moves at warp speed, having a home with this much weight and permanence is grounding. It’s not a hotel. It’s not a rental; it’s valued at 5.5 million. It’s hers.
Why This Property Stands Out (and It’s Not Just the Price Tag)
New York City has no shortage of expensive apartments.
What it doesn’t have is a lot of places like One Fifth Avenue. Buildings with soul. Buildings where every hallway feels like it might have witnessed something important. You can’t build that anymore. You can’t replicate 1920s craftsmanship or the particular way light hits a pre-war window, especially in a building with five bathrooms.
Gracie Abrams didn’t just buy square footage; she invested in a space that includes five bathrooms and stunning views. She bought into a lineage. Keith Richards. Jessica Lange. Brian De Palma. And now, a 26-year-old songwriter whose ballads make thousands of people cry in unison.
That’s a pretty good story for one address.
Gracie Abrams’ $12 million co-op at One Fifth Avenue isn’t just real estate. It’s a flex with zero flash. Old-world New York, Art Deco bones, a neighborhood that actually feels like a neighborhood — and neighbors whose names you’d recognize in any decade.
She’s 26 years old, she’s got a home in one of the most storied buildings in Manhattan, and she’s managed to keep the whole thing refreshingly private. That’s harder than it sounds.
What do you think — would you rather have a sleek modern penthouse or something with this much history? Because I know which one I’d pick.
*Enjoyed this? You might want to explore properties valued at 4.5 million and above. You might like our tour of Taylor Swift’s Tribeca compound — another New York story with a very different vibe.