Donald Trump's childhood home in Queens, New York, has been sold for $1.93 million after a significant renovation transformed the property from a neglected state into a modern residence. The sale closed in July, with the price revealed on Friday.
The Tudor-style house, built in 1940 by Trump's father, Fred Trump, was where the former president spent his earliest years before the family relocated. For years, the property at 85-15 Wareham Place had been a source of concern for neighbors, described as an eyesore plagued by neglect, including sitting vacant, experiencing burst pipes, and an attempted break-in.
The seller, developer Tommy Lin, purchased the five-bedroom house last year for $835,000 and invested $500,000 in an eight-month renovation. The project involved gutting and reviving the interior, adding a chef's kitchen, herringbone wood floors, and spa-like bathrooms. The home now features what designers have termed a ‘Manhattan modern’ aesthetic.
At the time of Lin's purchase, the property was listed for $2.3 million but was described as being in disrepair, with issues such as a leaking roof, feral cats, overgrown landscaping, and flooding. Lin saw the project's potential, motivated by the home's connection to Trump.
The property has a complex ownership history. In 2016, it was sold for $1.14 million. The following year, it was sold to an entity called Trump Birth House LLC for $2.14 million. This LLC reportedly listed the property on Airbnb for approximately five months, with some reports describing renters as Trump supporters hosting parties. The listing also made claims about the home being where Trump was conceived.
By mid-2019, Trump Birth House LLC attempted to sell the property at auction for $2.9 million, but it failed to sell. The house remained vacant for nearly a decade, continuing to face issues such as electrical faults that affected neighbors, a burst pipe that caused significant water damage and mold, and an attempted break-in in August 2024.
Neighbors had previously expressed frustration over the property's condition, with one resident documenting its decline on social media, highlighting citations and overgrown grounds. Some neighbors even hired landscapers themselves. The recent renovation has been welcomed by locals who had endured years of problems.
The home was initially relisted for $2.3 million before a price reduction to just under $2 million prior to the sale this summer. The final sale price was $1.93 million, $70,000 below its last asking price.
The property's sale concludes a long and sometimes troubled chapter for the house, which has now been restored and sold. Donald Trump, now 80, built his career in real estate before entering politics.