You’ve probably seen the black-and-white photos of George Herman "Babe" Ruth. He’s usually grinning, holding three bats at once, or rounding third base at the original Yankee Stadium. But where did the Sultan of Swat actually go when the sun went down and the stadium lights—which didn't even exist for most of his career—faded?
The babe ruth nyc apartment is a bit of a moving target because the man lived large and moved often.
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If you walk through the Upper West Side today, you’re basically walking through the Babe’s backyard. He didn't just live in one spot; he occupied a series of increasingly lavish residences that mirrored his rise from a Red Sox castoff to the biggest celebrity on the planet. Honestly, his real estate choices were just as loud as his home runs. From the rowdy halls of the Ansonia Hotel to the refined elegance of Riverside Drive, Ruth’s domestic life was anything but quiet.
Most people think he just lived in a hotel and called it a day. That's not really the case.
The Ansonia: Where the Chaos Started
When Ruth first landed in New York in 1920, he didn't buy a house with a white picket fence. He moved into the Ansonia at 2109 Broadway.
Back then, the Ansonia was the place to be if you were a professional athlete with a penchant for late nights. It was a residential hotel, which basically meant you got the luxury of a home with the service of a Hilton. Ruth lived there with his first wife, Helen. But "living" is a loose term.
Ruth famously treated the entire building like it was his personal living room. He’d reportedly hop in the elevator wearing nothing but a scarlet silk bathrobe to head down to the basement barbershop for his morning shave.
The walls were thick—three feet of solid masonry in some places—which was great for the Babe because he liked his music loud and his parties louder. It was a racy, high-energy environment. It’s also where the 1919 Black Sox Scandal was reportedly hatched, though Ruth wasn't involved in that mess. He was too busy becoming the king of New York.
345 West 88th Street: The Family Man Era
By 1929, things changed. Ruth had married Claire Hodgson, and they needed more space for their blended family. They moved into a massive spread at 345 West 88th Street.
This is the babe ruth nyc apartment most historians point to when they talk about his peak years.
He didn't just have a unit; he owned the entire seventh floor. Back then, it was an 11 or 12-room layout. Imagine that. In a city where people today fight over 400-square-foot studios, Ruth was sprawling out across a whole floor just steps from Riverside Park.
- The Layout: It had high ceilings, oak floors, and huge windows that looked out over the tree-lined streets of the Upper West Side.
- The Division: After the Ruths moved out, the floor was eventually split into two separate apartments (7B and 7F).
- The Price: Recently, unit 7B hit the market for around $1.5 million. It's a two-bedroom now, but it still carries that "Bambino" DNA.
There’s a plaque on the outside of the building today. It’s a modest little thing, but it stops tourists in their tracks all the time. People stand there trying to imagine the Babe hauling his massive frame through that lobby after hitting two homers against the St. Louis Browns.
The Final Home at 110 Riverside Drive
Ruth’s final chapter happened at 110 Riverside Drive. He moved there in 1942 and stayed until he passed away in 1948.
This apartment was on the 11th floor. It was more subdued than his earlier digs, reflecting a man who was slowing down, dealing with the throat cancer that would eventually take his life. But it was still Riverside Drive. It was still prestigious.
Claire, his widow, lived there for nearly thirty years after he died. She kept the place almost like a museum. Local kids from the 60s and 70s sometimes tell stories about meeting her. She was known to be incredibly kind, occasionally handing out posters or memorabilia to young fans who were brave enough to knock on the door of the Great Bambino’s widow.
Honestly, the fact that the apartment stayed in the family for so long is probably why the history of his time there feels so well-preserved.
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Why These Apartments Keep Hitting the News
You might’ve seen headlines recently about 345 West 88th Street.
A famous gymnast, Livvy Dunne, reportedly tried to move into the building but was "denied" by the board. New York co-op boards are notoriously picky, and they don't care if you're a social media star or a legend—they want to see your tax returns and a quiet lifestyle.
It’s sort of ironic, considering Ruth was the opposite of quiet.
If you're looking to track down these spots, here is the basic itinerary for a "Ruth Tour" of Manhattan:
- The Ansonia (2109 Broadway): The early, wild years.
- 345 West 88th Street: The championship years (look for the plaque!).
- 173 Riverside Drive: A short-lived stopover often mentioned in older records.
- 110 Riverside Drive: The final residence where his legacy was cemented.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Renters
If you’re obsessed with the babe ruth nyc apartment or just want to live near baseball history, here is what you can actually do:
- Visit the Plaque: Head to 345 West 88th Street. It’s a public sidewalk, and you can see the official marker without bothering anyone.
- Check the Listings: If you have $1.5 million to $2 million burning a hole in your pocket, keep an eye on StreetEasy for 345 West 88th St. Units on the 7th floor come up every decade or so.
- Walk the Park: Ruth spent a lot of time in Riverside Park. If you walk from 83rd Street up to 88th along the river, you’re basically walking his daily commute.
- Respect the Residents: Remember these are private homes. Don't go buzzing the intercom asking to see the "Babe's bathtub." You'll just get a very annoyed New Yorker on the other end.
Living in NYC is about layers of history. You might be standing in a modern kitchen with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, but if you're on the 7th floor of that 88th Street building, you're standing exactly where the greatest baseball player in history once sat to eat his breakfast. That’s a pretty cool way to look at a lease.