CCS Pictures via Wikimedia Commons / Paul Thompson, public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Free Upper West Side News, Delivered To Your Inbox
Olivia Dunne, the social media personality and former LSU gymnast, was recently blocked from purchasing a historic Upper West Side apartment once owned by baseball icon Babe Ruth, according to a video she shared with her 8 million TikTok followers.
Advertisement
Dunne, one of the highest-paid college athletes under the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules, had reportedly intended to pay the $1.59 million listing price in cash. The unit, a three-bedroom, 2.5-bath co-op at 345 West 88th Street, was going to be her first real estate purchase.
Despite making it to the final stages, Dunne said her application was denied by the building’s co-op board just days before she was supposed to be given the keys. Dunne and her boyfriend, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, were already prepping for the move, having hired an interior designer.
The exact reason for the rejection isn’t clear. Dunne said her finances wouldn’t have been an issue, speculating that maybe her public profile influenced the board’s decision.
The apartment, which first hit the market in April and comes with monthly maintenance fees of $4,262, was Babe Ruth’s home from 1920 to 1940, when he lived with his wife Claire and their adopted daughter Julia. The building is is marked with a commemorative plaque honoring the Yankee legend.
While the sale ultimately fell through, the listing gained attention due to both its connection to Ruth and Dunne’s high-profile attempt to buy it.
Like many other iconic baseball players, Ruth’s ties to the neighborhood were long-standing and personal. Before settling into 345 West 88th Street, he lived at the legendary Ansonia building with his first wife, Helen. He also lived at 173 Riverside Drive from 1940 to 1942, before moving to 110 Riverside Drive, where he lived until his death in 1948.
Have a news tip? Send it to us here!
She rizzed up Baby Gronk
Social Media personality, nuff said.
Co-op board did a good job and protected its residents from this influencer-parasite.
I looked at that apartment. It was in awful shape. “Stately” is a laugh. The building is mediocre as well. Not sure what the board is thinking is as it is going to now sit and sit.
“Influencer-parasite”? Harsh.
Really harsh. Is that necessary?
When the fiance of the best young pitcher in baseball wants to buy Babe Ruth’s apartment you let her! Paul Skenes is going to be a free agent in a few years, what better way to get him on the Yankees than if he’s shacking up with her at Babe Ruth’s apartment, Damn these Board members.
For the accurate historical record, the Babe lived in four different apartments – all on the UWS – between 1920 and his death 1948. He started at this apartment on West 88th, later moved to the Ansonia for a short time, and then to the 173 RSD apartment, and finally died (while living with his second wife) in the apartment on 83rd Street and Riverside Drive.
The Babe was a true Upper West Sider!!