A Peek Inside Lena Horne’s Legendary $1.2 Million New York Home
Iconic actress and activist Lena Horne's home in Queens has finally gotten under contract to be sold. Let's take a look inside!
Black News 
It’s been nearly 30 years since Lena Horne left this Earth, but her influence is still being felt and honored today. Her iconic home in St. Albans, Queens, New York, is still filled with tributes to the classic artist, actress and activist who used to live and breathe in those same hallways.
So when we heard the home was under contract, finalizing the sale paperwork after hitting the market at the beginning of this year, we felt it fitting to take a look at what some awesome homeowners would be getting into.
Keep reading for a look inside this legendary home!
Who Was Lena Horne?
If you somehow missed it during history class, allow us to give you a quick rundown on exactly who Lena Horne was. She wasn’t just a glamorous Hollywood star—she was that girl before “that girl” was even a thing. A singer, actress, and all-around icon, she broke through in Hollywood with films like “Cabin in the Sky” and “Stormy Weather,” where her performance of the latter title song basically cemented her legendary status.
But make no mistake: Horne’s impact went way beyond entertainment. At a time when segregation was the norm, she refused to play stereotypical roles and used her platform to fight racism, often working alongside civil rights leaders and even performing for integrated audiences during WWII. She mattered then, and she still matters now, thanks to her contributions, which helped define what it meant to be a Black woman in the spotlight—elegant, outspoken, and absolutely unwilling to shrink.
Outside View
According to Eyewitness News ABC7NY, Horne lived in her St. Albans, Queens, New York home from 1946-1962, There have been two other families that lived there after she moved on, but it hasn’t been put on the market in a while. Or, at least that was the case until earlier this year when it was listed for $1.2 million. It sold in March and boasts six bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths and is 2,287-square-feet.
Front Curb Appeal
Can you imagine walking up these steps into this iconic home? Wow, just wow!
Original Windows
As we’ll further get into, a lot of how the home originally looked back then is still around now. Which means the original flair that attracted folks to the home is still looking good and nostalgic!
Bedroom 1
One bedroom boasts natural lighting and a spacious enough area to move around and sleep comfortably at the end of the day!
Living Area
The living room area boast a good bit of natural light and a roomy enough space to invite friends and family over. But only if they’re welcomed and can handle being in the former home of an icon!
Original Staircase
The banisters on this home are still all original, even though the current seller admitted to making some renovations throughout other parts of house. Can you imagine walking up the same steps as Horne on a daily basis? Wow!
Odes to Lena Horne Throughout
When you first enter the living area, you’re greeted by images of Horne from her heyday, a sweet touch to remember the iconic figure who once graced the hallways.
More Odes to Lena Horne
It’s impossible to be in Horne’s home and not see images and tributes to her presence. And rightfully so as the abode is a piece of history all on its own.
Lena Horne’s Vintage Credenza
Only two families have lived in Horne’s home since her. When she sold it to the Robinson family in 1962, she left behind the credenza pictured above as a keepsake.
About the Neighborhood
The area in St. Albans used to be known as the the “African-American gold coast” due to the amount of Black entertainers, musicians and socially affluent folks who lived there, according to Untapped New York. Horne was also one of the first Black women to own a home in that area, per the New York Post.
Lena Horne’s Impressive Neighbors
As mentioned in ABC7 and the New York Post, some of Horne’s famous neighbors included famed boxer Joe Louis, baseball great, Jackie Robinson, Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald who all lived in the area.
Lena Horne’s Legacy
Though Horne passed away in 2010, her legacy is still felt and still relevant. She cracked open doors in Hollywood and the music industry for Black women who refused to be boxed in, setting a standard that echoes in more than a handful of today’s stars who demand both respect and range. And in a world that still tries it and Black people on a regular basis, Horne’s insistence on dignity, visibility, and using her voice feels less like history and more like a blueprint for how we all should continue to move.
