Influencer Loses Out On Buying Babe Ruth's Apartment

Social media influencer and former LSU gymnast Olivia "Livvy" Dunne has revealed she was denied the opportunity to purchase a historic Manhattan apartment once owned by baseball legend Babe Ruth.

The rejection came from the co-op board of the building, located at 345 West 88th Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, known as "The Ruth." 

The story, covered by outlets like the Los Angeles Times, NBC News, and The New York Post, sparked widespread discussion about co-op board dynamics, celebrity status, and New York real estate.

The property is a seventh-floor, three-bedroom, 2.5-bath co-op apartment listed for $1.59 million, featuring original moldings, oak floors, and a renovated kitchen with a washer-dryer, a rarity for pre-war co-ops.

Babe Ruth lived in the unit from 1920 to 1940 with his second wife, Claire Merritt Ruth, and their adopted daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens. The apartment, part of a building Ruth once owned entirely, was later subdivided in the 1950s or 1960s.

Its historical significance as Ruth’s home, where he hosted teammates and lived during his iconic Yankees career, made it a coveted piece of baseball history.

Livvy Dunne’s Bid:Dunne, a 22-year-old TikTok star with over 13 million followers across TikTok and Instagram and an estimated net worth of $6 million from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, offered to buy the apartment in cash.

She shared her excitement on TikTok, noting she had hired an interior designer and visited the apartment with her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, as the realtor was confident the deal would close.

However, days before receiving the keys, the co-op board rejected her application without providing a reason, a common practice in New York co-op sales.

The co-op board, composed of building residents who act as shareholders, has the authority to approve or deny buyers based on financials, references, and perceived fit with the building’s culture. No official reason for Dunne’s rejection was disclosed, as is typical for co-op boards.

Dunne speculated playfully that the board might include “Alabama fans” (rival to her LSU alma mater) or that her status as a public figure with a massive social media following could have been a factor. She emphasized the rejection was not financial, given her all-cash offer and substantial wealth.

Real estate experts suggested that co-op boards in historic buildings like The Ruth often prioritize privacy and are wary of high-profile residents, especially influencers, due to potential disruptions from paparazzi, fans, or excessive publicity.