Here’s what 12 iconic TV and movie homes actually cost
I, along with many true fans, have always been skeptical about Carrie Bradshaw being about to live in that gorgeous, rent-controlled, Upper East Side apartment on the budget that she has, while still being able to buy a pair of Manolos every week.
And a steep rent seems to be the norm with most of our favorite romantic movies and TV shows, according to Amber Heckler from ForRent.com. Many of the characters in movies like “While You Were Sleeping” and “When Harry Met Sally” would have been scrambling for money at the end of every month when that rent bill came.
It’s also no surprise that some of the smaller, cramped apartments in cities like New York cost an arm and a leg. Amber spilled what 12 iconic TV and movie homes would actually cost IRL and the numbers might leave you reeling.
Sex and the City
“Carrie Bradshaw’s Upper East Side apartment would cost $3,000 in today’s market, but she paid only $700 per month for the rent-stabilized, 1-bedroom brownstone with a walk-through closet. It has an on-screen address of 245 E. 73rd St., but it was filmed in the West Village at 66 Perry St. This 4-story townhouse has 4,100 square feet, 10 rooms, and 6 fireplaces. It sold for $9.85 million in 2012.”
“Mr. Big and Carrie’s new penthouse apartment is located on Central Park across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 1010 5th Ave. at East 82nd Street. The high-ceilinged, light-filled pre-war penthouse has double doors to the terrace, crown molding, and a custom walk-in closet. The interiors were filmed in a Spanish-style 4-story walk-up on 62nd Street. The monthly rent is $190,000, and the purchase price is $40 to $50 million.”
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Maid in Manhattan
“Marisa Ventura’s apartment would cost $1,300 to rent in today’s market. It’s located in the Bronx at East 175th Street between the Grand Concourse and Jerome Avenue. The 2-bedroom that she shares with her son is a good location for a single mom commuting into Manhattan.”
“On the other hand, Christopher Marshall’s hotel suite would cost $12,000 per month. The on-screen location is the Beresford Hotel, but the filming locations were Roosevelt Hotel and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, a 1931 art deco hotel with 47 stories.”
Now this price is definitely more reasonable for anyone who’s actually looking to cop one of these well-known apartments. $1,300 in New York? Not too shabby.
When Harry Met Sally
“Harry’s apartment is located in Greenwich Village at 57 E. 11th St. between University Place and Broadway. The 11-story building was built in 1903 and was previously a sewing machine factory. In the 1980s, the average NYC rent was $1,700, and many Lower Manhattan rentals were going for about $300. In today’s markets, this loft would cost $3,800 per month.”
Excuse me but if I was living in an old factory I would not pay anywhere near $1,700, let alone $3,800 in today’s market.
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Pretty Woman
“Vivian’s shabby apartment was in the Las Palmas Hotel. Located at 1738 N. Las Palmas Ave. in Hollywood, Julia Roberts’ character was sharing the tiny place with a roommate. It costs $185 per week, which would be $92.50 per roommate.”
“In contrast, Edward’s penthouse suite costs $38,500 per week. Located in the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel at 9500 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills, the 2-bedroom, 3-bath suite is on the 8th floor. The spacious rental is 4,000 square feet and includes his and hers walk-in closets, a marble bathroom, a living room, library and a formal dining room for 8. Most of the interior filming was done just down the road at the Ambassador Hotel. Currently, the Regent Beverly Wilshire has a ‘Pretty Woman’ Presidential Suite that runs $5,500 per night.”
Imagine your rent only being $92.50.
Sleepless in Seattle
“Sam’s Seattle houseboat would cost $9,500 per month to rent. Located at Westlake Avenue North on Lake Union, it is near the University of Washington and Pike Place Market. The 2,200-square-foot houseboat has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths with a lakeside dock. One of the bedrooms was converted into Sam’s office for his architecture business. The first floor has an open-concept floor plan for easy cooking/dining/entertaining. In 2014, the houseboat from the movie sold for $2 million. The previous owners had lived there for 21 years and bought it for $550,000.”
And I thought houseboats were tacky. If it’s that big, sign me up! Seems more like a glamorous yacht to me.
While You Were Sleeping
“Lucy’s cramped second-floor apartment is located at #201, 3017 W. Logan Blvd. The monthly rental costs would be $1,195 per month.”
“The suburban house of the Callaghan family is located at 203 8th Ave. in La Grange, IL. Built in 1904, it has 7 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 4,000 square feet. The house rents at $5,000 per month.”
“Peter’s high-rise apartment is located in Lake Point Tower at 505 North Lake Shore Drive. The 70-floor downtown building has valet parking, indoor and outdoor pools, and a health club. The rental cost is $2,800 per month.”
Again, another shabby apartment that costs way more than it should!! However, if you’re dying to stay in this famous apartment, $1,195 wouldn’t be all that bad.
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The Notebook
“Noah’s waterfront house is located at 204 Martins Point Road on Wadmalaw Island. Built around 1772, it’s an old Southern gem with stately columns. The 4-bedroom waterfront has a grand staircase, several fireplaces, and blue shutters. When Noah bought it, it was a fixer-upper! But today, it would rent for $12,000 per month. For filming, they started with a nice house, then distressed it for the earlier shots.”
Granted this is a house and not an apartment, but we couldn’t discuss romance real estate without this gorgeous property. Noah killed it so much on that re-build that it’s now expensive af. Thanks a lot, Noah.
