Billy Joel’s journey to this property by taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line is a story now associated with this house, which is entering the real estate market with an asking price of $2.5 million.
The residence that provided the inspiration for the iconic song “New York State of Mind” is located just steps away from the Hudson River in Highland Falls, New York, approximately 50 miles north of Manhattan. During the 1970s, this approximately 3-acre estate was leased by the Grammy-winning musician and his then-wife, Elizabeth Weber.
This property’s unique connection to Billy Joel adds an extra layer of historical significance to it. Sean Donnery, who, along with his sisters Kim and Emily-Kate Donnery, is responsible for selling the house, commented on the property’s intriguing past. He mentioned an instance from around a decade ago when a Billy Joel enthusiast, arriving on a motorcycle, visited the property. Sean Donnery explained that his family gave the visitor a tour of the house. The Donnerys’ parents, James Peter Donnery and Roxanne Donnery, purchased the property in the 1980s for an approximate price of $100,000 and resided there until their passing earlier this year.
Billy Joel himself recalled that he was on his way to this very house when the idea for the song came to him. According to a spokesperson for Joel, he completed the song upon his arrival. “New York State of Mind” was included in his 1976 album, “Turnstiles,” which also featured the song “Summer, Highland Falls.”
Constructed in the 1950s, the house spans about 4,300 square feet and comprises five bedrooms, offering unobstructed views of the Hudson River, as described by listing agent Jody Atkinson from Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty. The property is also equipped with a pool, a three-bedroom carriage house, a one-bedroom cottage, and even a vineyard.
In the late 1800s, this property was originally part of J.P. Morgan’s extensive 700-acre summer estate, which was subsequently subdivided into separate parcels, as mentioned by Atkinson. After Morgan’s home on the estate was destroyed by fire in the 1940s, the current house was constructed on the same foundation, incorporating materials from Morgan’s residence, including bricks.
During the 1990s, Sean Donnery’s parents transformed the property into a bed-and-breakfast once their children had moved out. They frequently accommodated the families of cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, situated just north of the home. One of the bedrooms was even named the “Billy Joel Room” and adorned with wallpaper designed to resemble sheet music. Sean Donnery described the property as “always being there to share.”
The bed-and-breakfast is still operational and is currently managed by Kim Donnery, Sean’s sister.
In Highland Falls, the median listing price stands at $399,200, according to Realtor.com. According to Atkinson, waterfront properties similar to this one in the area have sold for over $1 million in recent years.
The ties between this house and Billy Joel have the potential to attract homebuyers who are fans of his music. As Atkinson noted, “He’s such an iconic songwriter and a huge piece of American culture.”
