A union breakup...but Stranger Things have happened

Recently, I attended the New York City Real Estate Expo and heard from some of the industry’s leading names and performers, including Ryan Serhant, Bess Freedman, Maurizio Umansky, Nikki Field, Ricky Carruth, Jason Haber, Leo Pareja, and other notables. (Can we say, “Name-dropper?” )

The sessions ranged from intimate interviews to portraits of brokers, developers, lenders, compliance specialists, and proptech leaders shaping the market.

One salacious nugget—among several—centered on the topic of divorce. (I’ll come back to it in a moment. )

We’re in an unusual real estate moment. Existing-home sales—which include completed transactions of single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops—hover at an annualized pace of four million, according to the National Association of Realtors. That number, while seemingly large, marks a historic low in transaction volume.

If this is, as some forecast, the bottom—then an upswing may follow. Should interest rates decline, affordability improve, and inventory increase, we may see mobility return to the market. And with that, something else: homeowners who have felt “locked in” not only to their mortgages but also to relationships that have lost their love might feel freer to make a move—literally and emotionally.

That’s right: Divorce.

They do happen, and they are one of the big “Ds” in real estate, including Death , Debt , Downsizing , Departure (or Displacement) , and Discretion —i.e., catalysts that trigger real estate transactions.

Our focus in this piece is on divorce, and with a real couple. (That they’re celebrities doesn’t make it less unfortunate, but I use the case as a point of reference — and because the apartment is pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty nice. )

Lily Allen, the performer and singer, was previously married to David Harbour of Stranger Things fame. Their separation had been rumored for some time and was recently confirmed. The nature of the split has become fodder for gossip, as Ms. Allen’s latest album, West End Girl, reportedly chronicles, in quasi–Taylor Swift fashion , how the relationship came undone.

Just days after that album’s release, the couple’s apartment at 381 Union Street in Carroll Gardens hit the market, listed by Carl Gambino’s team at Compass Real Estate. The property is something of a marvel—previously featured in Architectural Digest—and it truly is spectacular .

If you look at the listing history, you’ll find that it was purchased for $3.35 million in 2021, presumably by Ms. Allen and Mr. Harbour, and now returns to market restored and elevated—for roughly twice that price.

Property Details: 381 Union Street
5 bedrooms
3.5 baths

Financial Summary
List Price: $7,995,000

Nestled on one of Carroll Gardens’ most coveted blocks, 381 Union Street is a 22-foot-wide brownstone reimagined by AD100 designer Billy Cotton and architect Ben Bischoff of MADE. Behind a stately 19th-century façade lies a symphony of English charm , Brooklyn refinement , and Italian romance .

The main level unfolds in layers of craftsmanship — Zuber wallpaper, crown moldings, and glass doors that open to a private garden complete with a sauna and cold plunge .

The Plain English kitchen glows with Ann Sacks tile, an Officine Gullo range, and a generous island beside a custom banquette bathed in sunlight .

Upstairs, the primary suite feels more like a boutique hotel — wrapped in Zuber wallpaper and Pierre Frey carpeting, anchored by a fireplace and dual walk-in closets. Two guest rooms, a skylit lounge, and a serene office complete the upper floors, while the garden level and finished basement blend leisure and utility with a guest suite, gym , and ample storage.

The taste is impeccable. And while this isn’t a “flip” in the traditional sense—it’s doubtful that was ever the intention when they entered the relationship—you can still see why and how a property can double in value. Now, they (a) put a ton of investment into this space, (b) may not find a buyer at the asking price, and (c) may not find someone who wants the property in its current state or aesthetic .

But, without question, it’s a special unit, and someone will swoop in for it . What remains to be seen is how the next owners will make it theirs—how much of the current decor and aesthetic will remain, and what the next chapter looks like in the story of this property .

And, what about 10002?

As it relates to the Lower East Side, you won’t find a property quite like this down here. Certainly not one with the spacious backyard and lush greenery that this Carroll Gardens home offers. It’s possible, of course, to find a four-level walk-up downtown, but the details—the high ceilings, intricate moldings, and arched passageways—typical of Brooklyn’s brownstones are rare south of Houston Street .

You can also see, in the photos of that sunlit kitchen, how the expansive garden behind the home floods the interior with natural light—again, something far less common in Lower East Side buildings, where properties sit closer together and outdoor space comes at a premium .

Still, it’s a different lifestyle, a different price point, and a different budget altogether. For $8 million, you can have this Brooklyn showpiece—or we can find you three penthouse pied-à-terres .