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True Story: The Original NYC 'Real World' Loft Is On The Market
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 28, 2019
Modified May 28, 2019
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Stephen P. Wald Real Estate Associates
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 28, 2019
Modified May 28, 2019
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The Real World wasn't the first reality show, but it was the first reality show that meant anything to a certain generation. And it was good for exactly seven seasons (though it lasted for 32). Naturally, it all got kicked off in New York City, home to MTV HQ and a perfect backdrop for drama and realness. (It would return two more times.)
The original seven strangers—Becky Blasband, Andre Comeau, Heather B. Gardner, Julie Gentry, Norman Korpi, Eric Nies, and Kevin Powell—delivered the purest episodes of the series, and their lives were documented in and around their SoHo loft at the corner of Broadway and Prince Street, which is newly on the market.
Their 4,000-square-foot duplex was in a co-op building at 565 Broadway, which was renovated for the production. They lived in the loft from February 16th to May 18th, 1992—just three days later the season premiere aired on MTV. Here's the first ten minutes:
Today the unit is a 5-bedroom home—here's more from the listing:
This exceptionally gracious sprawling full floor home located in Prince Tower, on the prime corner of fashionable and vibrant Prince Street and Broadway in the Soho Historical Cast Iron district was once the original 1860’s Palladian palazzo inspired showroom for the Ball Black & Co., a quality purveyor of jewelry and luxury goods to rival Tiffany’s. It has been featured as the location backdrop for many fashion photoshoots and back in 1992, it was also the location site for The Real World, the first reality show launched by MTV. The Main Floor features a 2500 sf Great Room, a Master Suite with 2 full baths, and 2 powder rooms, a spacious art gallery, open kitchen with butler’s pantry and approximately a 1000 sf former artist studio, which is now an additional living space complete with a galley kitchen and dining area. The 1500 sf mezzanine accessed by two staircases, has 4 bedrooms/offices, 2 full baths and one library
Got $7.5 million? Step right up and own the home of the first ever Real World season, which USA Today once called "painfully bogus."
Tagged
gen x
loft
mtv
real estate
soho
the real world
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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