Inside Kelly Bensimon’s downtown Manhattan apartment in the former NYPD headquarters: ‘If these walls could talk’

Kelly Killoren Bensimon, a former star of “Real Housewives of New York City” and a Douglas Elliman Real Estate agent, offers an exclusive tour of her loft-style apartment in The Police Building in downtown Manhattan. This historic landmark, once the New York Police Department’s headquarters, has been converted into residences and has housed numerous A-list celebrities. Bensimon, who has resided in various apartments within this gilded property over decades, expresses her affection for the building’s ambiance and its vibrant location, highlighting the illustrious individuals who have lived there, including Calvin Klein, Steffi Graf, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista. She emphasizes the rich history embedded within the walls, noting that if they could speak, they would reveal countless stories from the "supermodels, super elite, best bankers, designers, and artisans" who have passed through or resided in the building. As the building’s broker specialist, Bensimon feels privileged to live and work in such a distinguished location at 240 Centre Street. Upon entering, residents are greeted by an ornate Beaux-Arts lobby featuring hand-sculpted ornamental ceilings, a grand staircase, marble columns, and grand crystal chandeliers. Bensimon’s two-bedroom apartment mirrors this classic, old-world aesthetic but incorporates a French influence. Her living room features a towering mirror wall with grey accents, which she believes creates a "very Parisian vibe" and simultaneously expands the space while making it feel cozy. For the interior design, Bensimon collaborated with celebrity-loved creative consultant Gregory Bissonnette, resulting in a space that boldly mixes bright colors and varied textures. The apartment showcases an array of artworks, including pieces by Julian Schnabel and Ghada Amer. A particularly cherished item is a painting by one of her daughters, displayed in a Chrome Hearts frame, adding a personal and sentimental touch. Another meaningful piece is a reclaimed Parsons table from her parents’ Illinois home, which she uses to display coffee table books, lamps, vases, and other artistic curiosities. A prominent feature in the room is a large horse statue from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, a gift from Anna Wintour, and adorned with a leather saddle from the late Italian fashion executive Carla Fendi. Bensimon’s marble breakfast table is surrounded by 18th-century dining chairs from her ex-husband Gilles Bensimon’s family art collection, resting on a soft pink carpet from fellow "RHONY" alum Jill Zarin’s homeware brand. Her real estate success is marked by a shelf filled with Moët & Chandon Champagne bottles, each representing a home sale, which she hopes to open for a future celebration. The primary bedroom is bright and airy, with ample natural light, an en-suite bathroom, and a dedicated wall for her extensive designer purse collection. This collection includes a Louis Vuitton handbag from her time as editor of Elle Accessories and a gold Tom Ford clutch worn to the 2023 Oscars. Among her favorite bedroom items are a black-and-white Chanel throw blanket and a KAWS sculpture gifted by Karl Lagerfeld. She also highlights her dog, Tarzan, as a resident of this "iconic room," emphasizing the collection of items that represent various aspects of her life. The second bedroom, lofted above the living area and accessed by a sleek white staircase, further showcases the apartment’s unique layout. Bensimon proudly displays her "unbelievable" closet space, which includes a dedicated shoe closet. She showcases her vast footwear collection, pointing out a gold pair of Tom Ford stilettos worn to BravoCon, noting that many shoes evoke special memories. Ingeniously, Bensimon has repurposed Hermès scarves into decorative pillows and framed wall art, injecting pops of color and texture while transforming luxury items into functional decor. She even uses a jumbo Hermès Birkin bag as a throw pillow holder, a versatile item that also accompanies her to the Hamptons. Ultimately, Bensimon advises that creating a home is about "decorating and living with what you love," defining this as the "ultimate lifestyle." #KellyBensimon #PoliceBuilding #ManhattanApartment #InteriorDesign #LuxuryLiving #RealEstate #CelebrityHomes #NewYorkCity #KellyBensimon #PoliceBuilding #ManhattanApartment #InteriorDesign #LuxuryLiving #RealEstate #CelebrityHomes #NewYorkCity