Sat Mar 22 16:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Spike Lee’s Historic Upper East Side Townhouse: A Filmmaker’s Landmark Home
**NEW YORK, NY** – Acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee, a New Yorker for over four decades, has long called the city’s Upper East Side home. For nearly 25 years, Lee and his wife Tonya Lewis have resided in a stunning, historically significant townhouse, the Barbara Rutherford Hatch Residence. Originally purchased in 1998 for $16.6 million from renowned artist Jasper Johns, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home is a landmark itself.
Designated an individual landmark in 1977 for its architectural and historical significance, the three-story townhouse boasts a neo-Renaissance façade designed by Frederick J. Sterner. Its rich history includes ownership by theatrical agent Charles Dillingham and Charles Lanier Lawrence, whose contributions to aviation aided Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight.
The Lee family, including their now-adult children Satchel and Jackson, have filled the home with their own unique style, blending art, family memorabilia, and the rich history of the property. Features include an interior courtyard, original fireplaces, staff quarters, an elevator, and a gated entryway.
In 2014, the property was briefly listed for sale, with an asking price initially set at $32 million, later reduced to $28.5 million. However, the Lees ultimately decided to remain in their iconic residence. The home continues to serve as a testament to both Lee’s enduring connection to New York City and the rich history woven into the fabric of the Upper East Side.
First Piper 