The Manhattan property where Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat lived and worked will be occupied by actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie.
The deal for the property, located at 57 Great Jones Street, was confirmed today by John Roesch and Garrett Kelly, both directors of real estate agency Meridian Capital Group. Angelina Jolie will lease the space for her latest creative venture, Atelier Jolie, under long-term commercial use for eight years.
The interior space features 6,600 square feet of space across three floors. The building's exterior is adorned with street art, and Angelina Jolie will maintain it as a public tribute to Basquiat, who began his career in the graffiti duo SAMO.
“[Jolie] wanted to preserve the old art [of the building] and maintain that sense of Basquiat in space,” said Roesch.
“She loved the facade of the building and it was marked with street art as a memorial to Basquiat,” added Kelly.
Basquiat rented the second-floor space from Warhol shortly after they met. Warhol originally purchased the building in 1970.
Before Warhol's purchase, the property already had a rich history. Originally built in the 1860s, it was purchased by Paolo Antonio Vaccarelli – also known as gangster Paul Kelly – who opened the Brighton Athletic Club there in 1904. The building was later used as a metalworks and kitchen supply business until 1970. Most recently, the property was home to the exclusive Japanese restaurant Bohemian.
Atelier Jolie will serve as a workshop opportunity for underrepresented tailors and artisans around the world. Participants will be able to work and display their creations at 57 Great Jones Street.
Angeline Jolie plans to open her new business "as soon as possible", according to Roesch.
The property was previously on the market with Meridian Capital Group for $60,000 per month for a minimum of 10 years.