A striking 1839 red-brick townhouse in the heart of Greenwich Village has emerged on the luxury market with a $22.5 million price tag. The six-story, 8,700-square-foot residence, situated at 80 Washington Place just steps from Washington Square Park, garnered sudden notoriety after federal authorities revealed its role as a setting for rigged high-stakes poker games involving NBA figures and alleged members of New York’s major crime families. While the property’s transformation in recent years was stealthy, its latest listing places it squarely at the intersection of luxury real-estate intrigue and high-profile scandal.
From landmark origins to modern luxury
The property dates back to 1839 and was designed by architect William Renwick, renowned for his Greek Revival townhouses. In 2011 the home underwent a complete overhaul by Clodagh Design, introducing a fusion of brick, stone, steel and glass. Highlights include six bedrooms, six full baths, three powder rooms, private landscaped terraces totaling 1,566 sq ft, and a rooftop deck featuring sweeping views of Washington Square Park. Interior amenities range from a floating wood-and-glass staircase and custom elevator to a 700-bottle glass-faced wine cellar, home gym and a sauna lounge.
Scandalous past meets luxury listing
The current ask of $22.5 million follows a 2024 all-cash acquisition of the building (~$17 million) by an anonymous buyer. In October 2025, federal officials revealed that over 30 individuals—including accused associates of the Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese and Bonanno families—used the townhouse to host ultra-exclusive poker games rigged through hidden technology and celebrity-brokered allure. Former NBA players were reportedly used as “hosts” to draw wealthy participants. Though a well-known rapper once rented the residence, no connection to the illicit activity has been established.
With the listing comes an opportunity for a new chapter: approved building plans for further modifications are included in the offering—subject to city regulatory review.
Luxury realty and reputation calculus
For prospective buyers in the ultra-prime Manhattan market, this listing presents both dazzling real-estate value and reputational complexity. While the square footage, design pedigree and landmark status check many upscale boxes, the home’s recent headline-grabbing history may prompt deeper due diligence into zoning, building records and insurance implications. Hiring a real-estate attorney experienced in trophy-property transactions may prove prudent. At a time when ultra-luxury listings face increasing global competition and heightened scrutiny, the property’s price positioning at $22.5 million places it among Manhattan’s most exclusive offerings.
