All photos courtesy of Evan Joseph
The Greenwich Village townhouse tied to a Mafia-backed gambling scandal involving NBA players has hit the market for $22.5 million, just weeks after the scheme came to light. As first reported by the New York Post, the swanky Georgian red-brick townhouse at 80 Washington Place was the site of rigged poker games run by the Gambino crime family starting in 2019, which allegedly used professional basketball stars to lure high rollers and netted millions of dollars in winnings. Before its stint as a gambling den, the property was rented by Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, and has been on and off the market for more than a decade before finding an undisclosed buyer last year.
Built in 1839 and designed by architect William Renwick—the nephew of St. Patrick’s Cathedral designer James Renwick—the landmarked townhouse was once owned by famed American composer John Philip Sousa, best known for his military marches, as 6sqft previously reported.
The property later served as an event venue called Sousa House and remained in the same family for more than 40 years before hitting the market for the first time in 2012, asking $31.5 million. The home ultimately sold for $17 million in an all-cash deal last year to an anonymous shell company registered in Armenia.
In October, the home was thrust into the spotlight after an indictment from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York detailed a years-long illegal gambling scheme run by four of New York City’s most prominent crime families and involving several NBA stars.
The athletes implicated in the case include Chauncey Billups, former player and current coach of the Portland Trail Blazers; former player Damon Jones; and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. According to prosecutors, players would attract wealthy “whales,” who were allegedly cheated out of millions through the use of rigged shufflers and x-ray poker tables.
In fall 2023, the home became the site of a violent brawl between rival factions running the illegal gambling ring, when a competing crew hosting a separate game the same night stormed the townhouse with guns and other weapons to shut it down.
The sprawling six-story townhouse offers 8,700 square feet of living space, featuring six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and three powder rooms. Highlights include a custom glass elevator, a rooftop deck, a backyard with an outdoor kitchen, a terrace with a hot tub, and a 700-bottle wine cellar with a tasting lounge.
In 2011, the home received a gut-renovation by Clodagh Design, where materials including glass, steel, and wood were incorporated into the brick and stone design. Eleven skylights were also added to bring in natural light, according to the Post.
On the main garden level, a spacious kitchen and living room anchor the home, featuring a custom-built gas fireplace and double-height floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush backyard. The south-facing outdoor space features a full outdoor Viking kitchen, teak cabana, and meticulous landscaping.
Floating wood stairs with a glass banister descend to the basement level, where a dining room is framed by original stone walls. The lower floor also houses an open butler’s kitchen, media room, wine cellar with tasting lounge, laundry room, and maid’s quarters. A mezzanine level above the first floor offers the perfect spot for a library or home office.
The primary suite spans the entire fourth floor. A rear-facing bedroom features a custom fireplace and a private terrace, while a luxurious couple’s bathroom connects to a spacious street-facing dressing room. Two additional en-suite bedrooms occupy the third floor, with another situated on the fifth.
Also on the fifth floor, a spa and gym with a wet bar and sauna opens onto a terrace with a hot tub. Above, the rooftop features a built-in grill, an eat-in bar, and sweeping views of One World Trade Center.
Those interested in renovating the home must follow an approved list of “proposed modifications,” as any changes to the 186-year-old landmark require approval from the city.
[Listing details: 80 Washington Place at CityRealty]
[At Douglas Elliman by Melissa Olson]
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All photos courtesy of Evan Joseph
