Images: FX
In the 1990s, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. lived at 20 North Moore Street in Tribeca, long before the neighbourhood became one of New York’s most coveted postcodes. Set inside a classic loft-style building, their two-bedroom apartment featured soaring ceilings and industrial bones typical of the era.
According to real-estate agent Chloe Tucker Caine, John reportedly bought the property for $700,000 after meeting Carolyn. In contrast, one of the last units to sell in the building – apartment 7E – went for $US4.3 million in 2021, highlighting how dramatically Tribeca and this address have risen in value.
Our fascination with the ’90s power couple is peaking with the release of Ryan Murphy’s show Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Known for their impeccable, understated style, their aesthetic extended to their Tribeca apartment. Here, we explore the key details of the loft they called home before their tragic deaths in 1999.
The details that defined JFK Jr. and CBK’s famous New York loft
It was in Tribeca before Tribeca was Tribeca
The couple lived at 20 North Moore Street in Manhattan’s then-up-and-coming Tribeca neighbourhood long before it became synonymous with celebrity loft living.
A converted warehouse with industrial bones
The building was a 19th-century cast-iron structure. Their apartment featured high ceilings, exposed brick and large factory-style windows – classic downtown New York loft style.
It was surprisingly understated
Despite their fame, the apartment wasn’t an ostentatious Upper East Side townhouse. It reflected a downtown sensibility – more art-world chic than political dynasty.
They reportedly decorated simply
The interiors were said to be minimal and modern, aligning with Carolyn’s aesthetic – neutral tones, clean lines, very little clutter.
It was also a source of tension
According to some biographies, the building’s lack of privacy, including paparazzi stationed outside, became stressful, particularly for Carolyn.
How to recreate JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s loft style
To get the minimalist industrial look of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s loft, focus on high ceilings, exposed brick walls, large factory-style windows and visible beams or ductwork. Use a neutral palette of whites, greys, blacks and muted earth tones, paired with low-profile furniture in wood, metal and leather. Keep the layout open, add a few simple accessories like industrial lighting or a textured rug, and use quality finishes such as polished concrete or steel for subtle luxury.
Who lives in JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s Tribeca apartment today?
After the couple’s tragic deaths on July 16, 1999, the couple’s Tribeca loft at 20 North Moore Street was purchased in April 2000 by actor Ed Burns. He lived there until around 2002, when he and his wife, supermodel Christy Turlington, bought two apartments on the same street and combined them into a single home. Although the couple listed the apartment in 2008, they ultimately kept it, and it later appeared in Ed’s 2011 film Newlyweds, which he wrote, directed and starred in.
What happened to JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette?
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash on July 16, 1999.
JFK Jr. was flying his personal aircraft from New Jersey to Martha’s Vineyard when it went down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Massachusetts. Carolyn’s sister, Lauren Bessette, was also on board. All three were killed in the crash.
John was 38 years old at the time of his death, and Carolyn was 33. They were one of the most closely watched couples of the 1990s and their deaths became a defining tragedy for the Kennedy family.
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