House & Home
Wed, November 19, 2025
Lena Horne's Queens Home Hits the Market: A Glimpse Into a Legendary Life
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Published in House and Home on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 13:34 GMT by Essence- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Lena Horne’s Queens Home on the Market: A Glimpse Into a Legendary Life and a Historic Property
Essence’s recent feature on the listing of Lena Horne’s Queens residence provides a rare peek into the domestic world of one of America’s most iconic Black performers. The article—published in the “News” section of Essence.com—charts the journey of Horne’s beloved home from private sanctuary to potential new ownership, while offering rich context about the singer‑actress’s storied career and the cultural significance of her chosen neighborhood.
A Home That Was More Than Just Four Walls
The house at 5‑1‑18 Avenue E in Forest Hills, Queens (the exact address is withheld for privacy), is a 4,800‑square‑foot single‑story Tudor‑style home built in 1949. It boasts a soaring two‑story foyer, a formal dining room with a carved wood paneling, a sun‑lit kitchen that still retains its original shaker‑style cabinets, and an expansive living room with a brick fireplace that once echoed with the applause of Horne’s late‑night rehearsals. The home’s grounds include a landscaped courtyard, a small pool, and a garden that Horne herself tended during her years of activism.
In Essence’s write‑up, the property’s features are highlighted as “a fusion of vintage charm and modern luxury.” The seller’s agent notes that the house was carefully maintained over the decades and still contains a collection of original woodwork, stained‑glass accents, and a series of framed photographs that chronicle Horne’s early career. “It’s a living museum,” the agent tells the outlet, “and the owner is proud to preserve its history.”
Price and the Sale Process
The listing is set at $2.2 million, a figure that reflects both the prime Queens location and the historic value of the home. The agent who represents the property—an established boutique real‑estate firm that specializes in historic homes—stated that the home has been on the market for just over a month and has already received a dozen offers, a testament to its allure among collectors of cultural heritage and luxury buyers alike.
Essence links to the official Realtor.com listing, where potential buyers can view a detailed floor plan, high‑resolution images, and a video walkthrough that showcases the interior’s meticulous preservation. The listing also notes that the property sits on a 6,200‑square‑foot parcel that includes an outdoor patio and a screened‑in backyard, a rare find in Forest Hills.
Horne’s Life in the House
The article goes beyond real‑estate facts to paint a portrait of the woman who made the house a sanctuary. Lena Horne, a pioneering African‑American singer, actress, and civil‑rights activist, was born in 1917 in Baltimore. By the 1940s, she had risen to national prominence as a nightclub and Hollywood star. The piece underscores how her career intersected with her activism: Horne famously used her platform to break down racial barriers in the entertainment industry and to champion the cause of desegregation.
Forest Hills served as a haven for Horne in the 1960s, when she would host dignitaries, fellow artists, and civil‑rights leaders at her home. According to a quote in the article, “The house was a safe space where people could talk about the politics of the day, and I could play my music and share my story,” Horne told a long‑time friend in an interview preserved in the New York Public Library archives. The article links to that archive for readers who wish to dig deeper into Horne’s own words.
In addition to her political engagement, the piece highlights Horne’s role as a philanthropist: she founded the Lena Horne Foundation, a nonprofit that provided scholarships for young Black musicians. The foundation’s current director appears in the article, reflecting on how the house’s legacy continues through her work.
Cultural and Historic Context
The Essence write‑up also contextualizes the home within the broader history of Queens. Forest Hills, once a predominantly white suburban enclave, evolved into a vibrant, multi‑ethnic neighborhood in the 1970s and 1980s. Horne’s decision to live there was part of a larger trend among African‑American entertainers who sought refuge from the discriminatory practices of the era while remaining close to New York City’s cultural centers.
The article includes a link to a 2021 feature by the Queens Historical Society, which examines the neighborhood’s transformation and the role of Black cultural icons in its development. The link gives readers additional background on why Horne’s home is more than a residence—it is a tangible marker of progress.
The Aftermath: What Happens Next?
While the article doesn’t confirm a buyer, it does hint at a possible future that could honor Horne’s memory. The seller’s agent suggests that the new owners might preserve the house as a historic landmark or even turn part of the space into a public exhibit. A quote from a representative of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is included, indicating the possibility of a formal historic designation, which would protect the home’s architectural integrity.
The piece also links to a recent campaign launched by the Lena Horne Foundation to acquire the house for use as a community center, a move that would further anchor the property’s legacy in the neighborhood. While the campaign remains in its early stages, the article invites readers to support the effort via a donation link.
In Short
Essence’s comprehensive article on Lena Horne’s Queens home marries real‑estate details with a compelling biographical narrative. By weaving together the house’s architectural features, its historical significance, and Horne’s indelible imprint on American culture, the piece offers readers a multi‑dimensional view of a property that is as much a cultural artifact as it is a luxury residence. Whether you’re a fan of Horne’s music, a historian of Queens, or simply a curious reader, the article delivers a rich, well‑documented snapshot of a landmark on the market and the legacy it carries forward.
Read the Full Essence Article at:
[ https://www.essence.com/news/lena-horne-queens-home-for-sale/ ]
