A historic townhouse in New York City's West Village, with a past that includes famous residents and alleged mob-linked poker games, is currently serving as the venue for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The landmarked red-brick Georgian townhouse at 80 Washington Place, built 189 years ago, has been transformed by 22 interior designers for the month-long showcase, which opened to the public on September 16.
This event, known for highlighting high-end interior design and raising funds for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, offers designers a unique space. Nazira Handal, director of special events and corporate partnerships at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, noted the townhouse's potential, citing its six levels, terraces, wellness floor, and rooftop overlooking Washington Square Park. "We were excited to show visitors what our designers did with it," Handal stated.
The property was most recently listed for $21 million before being taken off the market in June. It is slated to return for sale after the showcase concludes, with listing broker Melissa Olson of Douglas Elliman indicating a new, yet-to-be-determined price. The current owners, who purchased the 8,700-square-foot home for $17 million in cash in 2024, had previously listed it for $22.5 million after acquiring it. The owners, who wish to remain anonymous, bought the home after it had been on and off the market for 12 years, originally asking $31.5 million in 2012. "They didn’t buy it as an investment, but their plans changed," Olson said.
Beyond its design transformation, the townhouse has a storied history. It was once owned by composer John Philip Sousa and later served as a boarding house where novelist Willa Cather resided. In more recent times, Travis Scott was renting the townhouse in 2021 while Kylie Jenner was also associated with the property. Neither had any involvement in alleged criminal activities.
Alleged Mob-Linked Poker Games
From 2021 to 2023, the townhouse allegedly hosted rigged poker games reportedly backed by the Gambino and Genovese crime families, with the Bonanno family later sharing in the proceeds. Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York reported that NBA players and coach Chauncey Billups were allegedly used to lure victims to these games. Court filings revealed two assaults occurred at the residence: in November 2022, Bonanno associates allegedly assaulted a gambler over an unpaid debt, and approximately a year later, two individuals allegedly assaulted the game's organizer.
The six-bedroom residence features six bathrooms and three powder rooms, along with four landscaped terraces totaling 1,566 square feet. The interior showcases a blend of historic exposed brick and modern elements like steel and glass. The home includes a dedicated wellness floor with a gym and sauna, a primary suite with a private terrace and fireplace, and a rooftop deck offering panoramic city views. The home is scheduled to go back on the market once the Kips Bay Decorator Show House concludes. 
