You see them in the movies, but honestly, seeing Taylor Swift buying a coffee in Tribeca hits differently. New York City isn’t just a backdrop for Sex and the City re-runs; it’s a living, breathing village for the world's most famous people. They walk their dogs. They get annoyed by the L train. They live here.
But finding out what celebrities live in NYC isn't as simple as checking a map. People move. Buildings change. One year everyone is in the West Village, the next, they’ve migrated to a "paparazzi-proof" fortress in North Tribeca. It's a game of real estate musical chairs played with millions of dollars.
The Tribeca Takeover: Why Everyone is at 443 Greenwich
If you want to know where the highest concentration of A-listers is right now, look no further than 443 Greenwich Street. This place is basically a celebrity dorm, but with way more marble and fewer ramen noodles.
It’s famous for being "paparazzi-proof." Why? Because it has an underground valet that allows stars to drive directly into the building without ever stepping onto the sidewalk. No more awkward "caught-without-makeup" photos.
- Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively: They’ve got a massive loft here, though they spend a ton of time at their colonial estate in Pound Ridge.
- Jennifer Lawrence: She’s been a staple of the building for years, though she’s also been linked to a new development on Jane Street in the West Village.
- Harry Styles: Yep, the man himself reportedly owns a pad in this specific building.
- Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel: They snagged a penthouse here years ago and haven't looked back.
It’s a vibe. Very industrial-chic. Think high ceilings and exposed wood beams that cost more than your car.
Taylor Swift’s Franklin Street Empire
You can't talk about NYC celebs without mentioning Taylor. She doesn't just live in Tribeca; she basically owns a whole block of it.
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She started at 155 Franklin Street, buying two penthouses from Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and smashing them together. Then she bought the townhouse next door at 153 Franklin. Then she bought another unit in the original building to use as a private garage.
Basically, she can walk from her front door to her car without a single fan seeing her. Clever. Honestly, it’s less of an apartment and more of a fortress. Locals often see her security team standing guard, which is the biggest giveaway that she’s "in residence."
The West Village and That Iconic Brownstone Vibe
If Tribeca is for the "new money" Hollywood crowd, the West Village is for the "I want to look like a normal New Yorker while wearing a $2,000 sweater" crowd.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are the king and queen of this neighborhood. They famously combined two massive brownstones on West 11th Street. It’s a project that took years, but now it’s one of the most valuable private homes in the city. You’ll actually see them walking around—no joke.
Daniel Radcliffe is another one. He’s often spotted at local bookstores like McNally Jackson. He keeps a notoriously low profile, which is easy to do in the winding, confusing streets of the Village.
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Then there's Andy Cohen. He’s lived in the West Village for ages and recently spent a fortune combining multiple units into a massive duplex. He’s often seen walking his dog, Wacha, in the local parks.
The Upper West Side: Where the Legends Stay
This is where the "Old Guard" lives. If you’re looking for Steve Martin or Jerry Seinfeld, you head north.
The Beresford and The San Remo
These are the two big ones. These buildings are iconic.
- Jerry Seinfeld lives in the Beresford. It’s right on 81st and Central Park West.
- Steve Martin is over at the San Remo.
- Bono also has a place in the San Remo towers.
The UWS has a different energy. It’s more family-oriented. You’ll see Amy Schumer or Tina Fey grabbing a bagel or heading to a school function. It’s less about the "look at me" flash and more about the "I’ve been famous for 30 years and just want a quiet park" vibe.
Brooklyn is No Longer a "Budget" Alternative
Let’s be real: Brooklyn is just as expensive as Manhattan now. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski made headlines when they moved to Park Slope, though they later sold that place. Now, the celebrity focus has shifted to Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill.
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Matt Damon famously broke records when he bought a penthouse at The Standish in Brooklyn Heights for over $16 million. Adam Driver and Michelle Williams are also known to call Brooklyn home. It’s the place to go if you want to be a "cool" celebrity parent.
How to Spot Them Without Being Weird
Look, nobody likes a stalker. New Yorkers have a silent pact: you don't bother them. If you see Hugh Jackman at the gym in the West Village (which people do, constantly), you let him lift in peace.
The best spots for "accidental" sightings?
- The Polo Bar: Ralph Lauren’s spot. High celebrity density.
- Via Carota: A West Village staple where everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Taylor Swift has been seen.
- The Greenwich Hotel: Owned by Robert De Niro, so he’s always there.
- Washington Square Park: A favorite for the younger crowd like Timothée Chalamet.
Why NYC Beats LA for the Stars
Privacy. It sounds counterintuitive, but in NYC, you can put on a hat and sunglasses and disappear into a crowd of 8 million people. In LA, you have to drive everywhere, and the paparazzi follow the cars. In New York, you just walk.
NYC celebrities are a different breed. They value the "grind" of the city. They like the fact that they can go to a dive bar and, for the most part, be treated like anyone else.
If you're looking for your favorite star, keep your eyes up. They aren't in the back of limos; they’re probably standing right next to you at the crosswalk, waiting for the light to turn.
Next Steps for You
If you're planning a "celebrity spotting" day, start in Tribeca around 11:00 AM for coffee at a local spot like Bubby’s, then walk the High Line toward the West Village. The afternoon is peak "walking the dog" time for the stars who call the Village home. For a more structured look at the city's elite real estate, check out the public records for 443 Greenwich—the list of owners is a literal who's-who of Hollywood.