The Queen of Pop's Nest: Madonna's Mansion on the Upper East Side
In the heart of Manhattan's exclusive Upper East Side, just a stone's throw from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, lies the urban retreat of the iconic Madonna. An oasis of luxury and privacy that has been the backdrop to the artist's life since she acquired it in 2009 for a cool $32 million.
More than just a house, the "Queen of Pop's" property is an amalgamation of three red-brick houses carefully merged to create a palatial residence. Among its 26 rooms are 14 bathrooms and 9 fireplaces, spread over four floors that are steeped in history and personality.
The neighborhood itself, the block of 81st Street between Third and Lexington Avenues, appears to be just another one in the New York urban fabric. A small nail salon, a laundromat and apartment buildings make up the usual scene, until the eye meets a three-meter high wall crowned by a row of metal spikes. Behind this imposing fence lies Madonna's refuge, an oasis of exclusivity that contrasts with the simplicity of the surroundings.
However, the artist's presence has not always been well received by her neighbors, whether due to the noise generated by her gatherings and parties or to putting up fake "No Parking" signs to discourage other drivers from parking in front of her house.
After the enormous success achieved in Rio de Janeiro where she managed to gather more than 1.6 million people in a concert on the famous Copacabana beach, the singer took refuge in her New York home to find the inspiration and cosmopolitan energy that characterizes her and continue her triumphant performances around the world.
