When John Lennon first touched down at JFK in 1971, he wasn't just another tourist. He was a man looking for an exit strategy from his own fame. London felt claustrophobic, the Beatles’ breakup was still a raw wound, and he felt like the British press was breathing down his neck. He chose Manhattan because, as he famously put it, it was "at my speed."
If you've ever walked around the Upper West Side or the West Village, you've probably felt that lingering ghost of 1970s grit and glamour. But if you're asking where did John Lennon live in New York City, the answer is actually a trail of several different addresses that mapped out his transformation from a restless rockstar to a "house husband" baking bread in a high-rise.
The First Stop: Two Suites at the St. Regis
Before he was a local, he was a guest. In August 1971, John and Yoko Ono checked into the St. Regis Hotel at 2 East 55th Street. They didn't just get a room; they took over two suites on the seventh floor.
Honestly, the St. Regis was a weird choice for a guy trying to go "radical." It’s an ultra-posh, Old World luxury spot. But it served a purpose. It was their home base while they scouted for something more permanent. This is where the Imagine album was released, and while the fans were swarming the Fifth Avenue entrance, John was busy falling in love with the city's anonymity. He could put on a coat, walk out the door, and mostly be ignored. That was the dream.
105 Bank Street: The Greenwich Village Years
By October 1971, the hotel life had worn thin. They wanted to be part of the "real" New York, which at the time meant Greenwich Village. They moved into a small, two-room back apartment at 105 Bank Street.
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This place was the opposite of a mansion. It had a spiral iron staircase leading to a roof garden and sat on a quiet, cobblestone street. It was kinda gritty. This was John’s most political era—the "Some Time in New York City" period. He and Yoko would ride bicycles around the neighborhood like regular people.
A Strange Bit of Trivia: Because John was under FBI surveillance at the time (Nixon really wanted him deported), he was convinced his phones were tapped. Legend has it he would occasionally pop over to the neighbor's house at 107 Bank Street to use their phone for private calls.
The Bank Street era ended abruptly. In late 1972, the apartment was burglarized. That sense of Village safety evaporated instantly. They realized that while they loved the neighborhood, they needed the kind of security a walk-up apartment just couldn't provide.
The Brief "Lost Weekend" Penthouse: 434 East 52nd Street
There is a middle chapter most people skip. When John and Yoko separated in 1973—the start of his famous 18-month "Lost Weekend"—he moved into a penthouse at 434 East 52nd Street with his assistant and lover, May Pang.
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This was a massive, 4,000-square-foot triple-decker penthouse with a huge terrace. If you've seen the photos of John looking out over the East River wearing a "New York City" t-shirt, those were taken right there. It was a beautiful, sun-drenched spot, but it was a transitional home. By the time he and Yoko reconciled in 1975, his focus shifted back to the building that would define the rest of his life.
The Dakota: 1 West 72nd Street
When people ask where did John Lennon live in New York City, this is the one they mean. The Dakota is a massive, Gothic fortress on the corner of 72nd and Central Park West. It looks more like a haunted castle than an apartment building.
They originally moved into Apartment 72 in May 1973. Eventually, as their "real estate empire" grew (Yoko was an incredibly savvy investor), they ended up owning several units in the building. They lived primarily in a sprawling spread on the seventh floor, but they also had offices on the first floor and storage elsewhere.
Life at the Dakota was different. John became a "house husband" after Sean was born in 1975. He spent five years mostly staying inside, looking out over Central Park, and retreating from the music industry. It wasn't just a home; it was a sanctuary. He’d walk across the street to the park, or grab a bite at the nearby Stage Deli.
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The Dakota is also, unfortunately, where the story ends. On December 8, 1980, John was shot in the archway of the building. To this day, fans gather at the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park, which is located directly across the street from his former windows.
A Secret Soho Loft: 496 Broome Street
Many people don't realize that the couple also bought a space in Soho around the same time they were at Bank Street. Located at 496 Broome Street, this was a two-story, loft-style space.
It wasn't exactly a "home" in the traditional sense for very long. It served more as a headquarters, an art studio, and a meeting place for the avant-garde crowd. It had those classic Soho features: hardwood floors, big skylights, and a soundproofed studio. It actually stayed in the family for decades; Yoko and Sean didn't decide to sell it until quite recently.
How to See These Places Today
If you’re planning a "Lennon tour" of New York, most of these spots are still standing, though you can’t exactly go inside.
- The St. Regis: You can still walk into the lobby or grab a drink at the King Cole Bar. It looks much like it did in '71.
- 105 Bank Street: It’s a private residence now. It’s a beautiful walk, but please be respectful—people live there.
- The Dakota: You can view the exterior from the sidewalk, but security is legendary. Don't expect to get past the gate.
- Strawberry Fields: This is the most "interactive" part of the history. The "Imagine" mosaic is the focal point for fans worldwide.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to experience the New York John loved, don't just stare at the buildings.
- Walk the West Village: Start at Bank Street and wander toward Washington Square Park. That's the route he used to bike.
- Visit the New-York Historical Society: They often have exhibits related to the city's music history.
- Eat at a local diner: John loved the mundane parts of NYC life. Finding a "no-frills" coffee shop on the Upper West Side is more "Lennon" than any museum.
New York gave John Lennon the one thing he couldn't find anywhere else: the ability to be a citizen instead of a Beatle. Whether he was hiding out in a Village walk-up or watching the sun rise over the park from the Dakota, the city was his true home.