A Broadway legend and Houston icon is selling his New York City penthouse on a block once home to some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Tommy Tune has listed his penthouse at 400 E. 52nd St. in Midtown Manhattan for nearly $2 million, according to the Compass listing. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom property sits on a secluded block once home to several stars including Greta Garbo, John Lennon, Shirley MacLaine and Noël Coward.
Tune, a Texas native who grew up in Houston, is widely recognized as a Broadway great whose work as a performer, director and choreographer earned him 10 Tony Awards. He reportedly drew inspiration for his work in this home.
Broadway legend and Houston icon Tommy Tune has listed his Manhattan penthouse for nearly $2 million. (DD-Reps / Compass)
“Tommy wrote about his new penthouse, he sang about it, and he danced about it in his shows around the country. This penthouse has served as Tommy’s creative home base,” according to the listing. “Here, he has visualized and painted, written and rewritten, created and entertained.”
Tune discovered the penthouse while visiting Oscar-winning actress MacLaine, whose home was just below. He climbed 18 stairs to the top floor and found a “magical home,” described as “the ultimate perch.”
“Cast parties and dinner parties for luminaries of theatre and film have enjoyed terrific times right here,” the release reads. “The positive energy and wonderful vibes abound, and the tower penthouse is ready for its next legendary host.”
Broadway legend and Houston icon Tommy Tune has listed his Manhattan penthouse for nearly $2 million. (DD-Reps / Compass)
What’s inside
The penthouse sits atop Southgate, a 17-story building dating back to 1931, designed by renowned architect Emery Roth.
“Everywhere you look there is inspiration and calm, light and beauty,” according to the listing, “The great room is high above it all-open and lofty, with big windows, room for dining, and multiple seating areas (and currently the showroom for all 10 of Tommy’s well-earned Tony Awards).”
Ceilings soar nearly 14 feet with light Oak plank floors beneath them. An open kitchenette features a wrap-around dining bar, shelving and stainless appliances, while the king-sized suite offers a soaking tub, stall shower, expansive closet and storage space.
Broadway legend and Houston icon Tommy Tune has listed his Manhattan penthouse for nearly $2 million. (DD-Reps / Compass)
But the real eye-catcher is the 1,800-square-foot private outdoor terrace, which listing agents describe as “jaw-dropping.”
“Ready for gardening, parties, meals, sunrise coffees and sunset cocktails, this penthouse tower’s terrace is one of NYC’s world-class trophies,” according to the listing.
The connection to Tune is anything but subtle. Listing agents invite buyers to buy into the dream of owning his former home.
“High above it all, there is a dream space-an enchanted place where possibility takes flight, and life is bigger, taller, and grander-just like Tommy,” the listing reads. “Come discover your own legendary penthouse tower.”
Broadway legend and Houston icon Tommy Tune has listed his Manhattan penthouse for nearly $2 million. (DD-Reps / Compass)
Tune’s Houston history
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, which honored Tune with a star in 1993, says he was born in Wichita Falls to Jim Tune, a Texas oil rig worker, horse trainer and restaurateur, and his wife, Eva Mae Clark.
But while he was born in North-Central Texas, Tommy grew up in Houston. He attended Lamar High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1962.
Broadway legend and Houston icon Tommy Tune has listed his Manhattan penthouse for nearly $2 million. (DD-Reps / Compass)
Tune later returned to Space City and took graduate courses at the University of Houston. UH is now home to Tune’s Broadway legacy, housing more than 50,000 pieces from his career.
He moved to New York in the mid-1960s and made his Broadway debut as a chorus dancer in Baker Street in 1965. Nearly a decade later, he won his first Tony Award for his performance in Seesaw in 1974.
Broadway legend and Houston icon Tommy Tune has listed his Manhattan penthouse for nearly $2 million. (DD-Reps / Compass)
Tune went on to direct or choreograph eight Broadway musicals, direct Off-Broadway productions and tour in Busker Alley and Dr. Dolittle.
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This article originally published at Houston’s Tommy Tune lists penthouse on star-studded NYC block.