Livvy Dunne Says Co-op Board Denied Her Bid for Babe Ruths Former Home
Livvy Dunne didn’t try to spin it. She came right out with it in a TikTok posted on July 8: “I’m so upset.” Not the kind of thing you expect to hear from a 22-year-old millionaire influencer talking about her first apartment.
But this wasn’t just any apartment. It was Babe Ruth’s former home on New York’s Upper West Side—an iconic $1.59 million co-op unit at 345 West 88th Street. Historic, exclusive, and still out of reach, even if you walk in with cash.
Livvy said she was ready. She toured the place with her boyfriend, MLB pitcher Paul Skenes. The realtor seemed confident. She’d even lined up an interior designer—because, as she joked, “It would be criminal to bring my dorm room furniture to Babe Ruth’s apartment.”
Then came the phone call.
Just days before she was supposed to get her keys, the co-op board denied her. No explanation. Just a no. Livvy kept it light, wondering if maybe the board was full of Alabama fans who didn’t like her LSU roots. But the sting was real.
If you’ve ever been rejected for a home—even with everything in order—you know that feeling. Multiply it by millions of followers watching your every move, and it hits differently.
Her message to fans? “Don’t try to live in a co-op. You might get denied. And you won’t get Babe Ruth’s apartment.” Brutal. Honest. And the kind of reality check most real estate influencers won’t give you.
What do you think—is it fair for co-op boards to reject buyers with cash and credentials? Or is this just old New York doing what it’s always done? Let’s talk in the comments.
Why Did the Co-op Board Say No?
If you’ve ever thought money talks in real estate—especially in NYC—you’re not wrong. But sometimes, even a full cash offer can’t get you through the door. That’s exactly what happened to Livvy.
She wasn’t just casually browsing. According to the New York Post, Livvy made a serious move: cash in hand, designer on deck, even scoped the place out with Paul Skenes. Everything looked locked in.
But then, bam—the co-op board shut it down. No reason given. No feedback. Just a flat rejection.
If you’re not from New York, this might sound insane. But in the world of Manhattan co-ops, boards can deny you for almost any reason—and they don’t even have to explain why. Your income, your lifestyle, your “vibe,” your press coverage—it’s all on the table. And they’re not obligated to justify a no.
That’s the brutal reality. You could be famous, wealthy, and ready to write a check on the spot. Doesn’t matter. If the board doesn’t feel you’re a fit, the deal’s off.
I’ve seen this happen before—celebrities like Madonna and even A-Rod have been turned away. So Livvy’s not the first. But it does hit differently when a 22-year-old influencer comes in bright-eyed, only to get ghosted by old-school gatekeepers.
If you’re thinking of buying a co-op someday, this should make you pause. It’s not just about what you have—it’s about whether they like you.
Even celebs who opt for condos face challenges—Amy Schumer’s Brooklyn townhouse price cut is just one example of how unpredictable the NYC market can be.
What Made This Apartment So Special, Anyway?
You might be wondering—was this place really worth all the fuss? The answer is yes. And not just because of the location.
According to People, this wasn’t just any Upper West Side pad. Babe Ruth actually lived there—20 full years, from 1920 to 1940. Not rented. Not once upon a time. He and his family owned the entire building at one point.
That kind of history doesn’t come around often in New York. You’re not just buying square footage—you’re buying legacy.
Livvy clearly felt it. She was excited, even emotional. She shared in her TikTok how she was telling everyone about it: “The gag was, it was Babe Ruth’s apartment. So naturally, I’m telling everybody.”
I don’t blame her. Imagine landing your first place, and it just happens to be tied to one of the greatest legends in baseball history. You’d be screaming it from the rooftops too.
For $1.59 million, she was getting three bedrooms in a historic building on a quiet, tree-lined street. Not flashy. Not oversized. But meaningful. And that’s what makes the rejection sting more.
Just like Joy Mangano’s 18,000 sq. ft Long Island home, some properties carry legacies that go beyond bricks and mortar.
What This Means for Livvy’s Brand?
Let’s be real—Livvy’s not going to be homeless. But public rejection always carries PR weight. And in this case, I actually think it worked in her favor.
She came across as honest, self-aware, and down-to-earth. No fake luxury, no “I’m better than this” attitude. Just a 22-year-old saying, “I was excited, I got denied, and it sucks.”
That kind of transparency builds trust. If you’re someone who follows influencers, you know how rare it is for them to admit something didn’t work out. Most people just disappear the moment things go sideways.
For Livvy, this could actually open more doors. Think about it—home design brands, condo developers, even NYC lifestyle platforms might want to collaborate with her now that she’s proven she’s trying to plant roots.
As for you? If you’re trying to build a brand—on TikTok, YouTube, or anywhere—remember this: moments of failure are sometimes more powerful than wins. People remember how you handle disappointment more than how you flex.
Reactions like these often spread faster on closed platforms too—some group chats and WhatsApp channels were already sharing memes about it before it hit the news cycle.
Should You Even Try Buying a Co-op in NYC? Let’s Talk Reality
If you’ve never dealt with NYC real estate, let me break it down for you—co-ops are an entirely different game.
Unlike condos, where you buy your unit outright, co-ops make you buy into a corporation that owns the building. You don’t just sign papers—you apply like it’s a job. Financials, interviews, references, background checks—the whole thing.
Even if you can afford it, you still need the board’s blessing. And they can reject you for anything that “doesn’t fit the building’s culture.”
That’s probably what happened to Livvy. She’s young, high-profile, and constantly online. For an old-money Upper West Side co-op, that’s not always a great combo.
Now, if you’re looking to buy in NYC, don’t let this scare you—but be prepared. Co-ops are often cheaper than condos, but they come with a price: control. If you want more flexibility, go condo. If you want charm, history, and tight rules, go co-op—but keep your expectations in check.
And no, it’s not just influencers who get turned down. Plenty of regular folks do too. It’s just that when Livvy gets rejected, the whole internet hears about it.
It’s not just Livvy—celeb couples like Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo’s Montecito estate are hitting the market too, showing how real estate moves are just as much about branding as location.
What’s Next for Livvy? And Where Could She Go Now?
Just because Livvy didn’t get Babe Ruth’s apartment doesn’t mean the NYC dream is over. Far from it.
Honestly, this might push her toward something even better. Condos in neighborhoods like Tribeca or SoHo offer more privacy, modern layouts, and—most importantly—no co-op board to block you. For someone with her lifestyle and visibility, that might be a blessing.
She’s also got the attention of the real estate world now. Don’t be surprised if developers or luxury agents start approaching her for brand partnerships or exclusive walkthroughs. Sometimes, getting denied from one door opens five new ones.
If you’re someone who’s been turned away or hit a wall while house-hunting, don’t take it personally. Whether you’re Livvy Dunne or a first-time buyer with a tight budget—real estate has a way of humbling you. But there’s always a plan B. And sometimes, plan B is better.
Final Thoughts
There’s something kind of poetic about this whole situation. A young, successful woman tries to buy a legendary baseball player’s apartment—and gets blocked by a bunch of people she’s never met.
It’s funny. It’s frustrating. And it’s very, very New York.
But Livvy handled it the best way possible: with humor, honesty, and zero ego. That’s rare in this world, and it’s probably why so many people ended up rooting for her even more.
So if you’ve ever felt like your money, effort, or excitement wasn’t enough—this story’s for you. Fame doesn’t guarantee access. Sometimes, rejection makes you more relatable than any win ever could.
What would you have done in Livvy’s shoes—fought it, laughed it off, or gone even bigger? Drop a comment below—I’m curious what you think.
If stories like this interest you, you might enjoy browsing our Celebrity Home Security section—real estate isn’t always about square footage, sometimes it’s about who gets in and who gets locked out.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information, including Livvy Dunne’s own social media posts. Any speculation around co-op board decisions is presented for context only. We do not claim to represent Livvy Dunne or the co-op board’s official stance.
