Peter Yarrow House represents more than just a luxury Manhattan duplex – it’s a piece of American folk music history. The legendary singer’s Upper West Side apartment, where he lived for over four decades, recently hit the market following his passing in January 2025. This iconic residence served as both a family home and a creative sanctuary where some of America’s most beloved folk songs came to life.
The Peter Yarrow House wasn’t just where the folk music legend lived – it was where history happened. From hosting intimate concerts with Pete Seeger and Harry Belafonte to planning civil rights activism, this Manhattan duplex witnessed decades of cultural significance. Now, after Yarrow’s death from bladder cancer at age 86, his estate is offering music lovers and real estate enthusiasts a chance to own this extraordinary piece of American heritage.
Who is Peter Yarrow?
Peter Yarrow was an American folk singer and songwriter who became a household name as part of the iconic trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Born on May 31, 1938, in New York City, Yarrow helped shape the folk music revival of the 1960s and left an indelible mark on American culture. His net worth at the time of his death was estimated at around $5 million, accumulated through his successful music career spanning over six decades.
Beyond his musical achievements, Yarrow was known for his political activism and social consciousness. He owned multiple properties during his lifetime, including his primary residence – the Peter Yarrow House in Manhattan’s Upper West Side – and a vacation home in Telluride, Colorado. While he didn’t own private jets or yachts like some celebrities, his wealth came from his songwriting royalties, particularly from hits like “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” which he co-wrote and which became one of the most beloved children’s songs of all time.
The folk singer’s lifestyle reflected his values rather than extravagance. He drove modest cars and focused his resources on causes he believed in, from civil rights to anti-bullying programs in schools. His real estate choices also reflected his artistic sensibilities – choosing homes that could serve as gathering places for fellow musicians and activists rather than showcasing wealth.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Yarrow |
| Birth Date | May 31, 1938 |
| Death Date | January 7, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 86 years old |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Political Activist |
| Famous For | Member of Peter, Paul and Mary |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Primary Residence | 27 West 67th Street, Manhattan |
| Vacation Home | Telluride, Colorado |
| Spouse | Mary Beth McCarthy (married 1969, divorced 1981, remarried 2022) |
| Children | Bethany Yarrow, Christopher Yarrow |
| Education | Cornell University |
| Famous Songs | “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “Day Is Done,” “Light One Candle” |
| Awards | Grammy Awards, Emmy Nomination |
| Cause of Death | Bladder Cancer |
Where Does Peter Yarrow Live Now?
Peter Yarrow lived in his beloved Manhattan duplex until his death in January 2025. The Peter Yarrow House, located at 27 West 67th Street in New York City’s Upper West Side, served as his primary residence for more than 40 years. This wasn’t just any apartment – it was a carefully chosen home that reflected his artistic soul and commitment to social causes.
The location perfectly suited Yarrow’s lifestyle and career. Situated near Lincoln Center and Central Park West, the Peter Yarrow House put him at the heart of New York’s cultural scene. The building itself, known as the Sixty-Seventh Street Studio Building, has a rich history of housing artists and creative professionals, making it an ideal fit for someone of Yarrow’s stature in the folk music world.
During his final years, Yarrow battled bladder cancer for four years before passing away peacefully at the Peter Yarrow House, surrounded by family. His death marked the end of an era, but his home continues to tell the story of a life dedicated to music, activism, and bringing people together for important causes.
Peter Yarrow House
The Peter Yarrow House stands as a testament to both luxury living and artistic purpose. This remarkable Manhattan duplex, spanning approximately 2,500 square feet across the ninth and tenth floors of a prewar building, served as much more than a residence – it was a creative hub that hosted some of the most important figures in American folk music and civil rights.
What makes the Peter Yarrow House truly special isn’t just its impressive size or prime location, but its role in American cultural history. The spacious great room with double-height ceilings regularly hosted rehearsals for Peter, Paul and Mary, while also serving as a venue for fundraising events and intimate concerts. Notable guests included Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Neil Sedaka, and various politicians and activists who gathered to plan social change movements.
The apartment’s design perfectly balanced historical authenticity with modern functionality. Yarrow made minimal alterations over the decades, preferring to restore original features rather than renovate. This approach preserved the building’s character while ensuring the space remained practical for both family life and professional use. The Peter Yarrow House truly embodied its owner’s values – bringing people together in a beautiful, meaningful space.
1. Where Is Peter Yarrow House?
The Peter Yarrow House sits at 27 West 67th Street in Manhattan’s prestigious Upper West Side neighborhood. This prime location places it between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, putting residents within walking distance of both Central Park and Lincoln Center – two of New York City’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
The building itself, officially known as the Sixty-Seventh Street Studio Building, has a rich history as an artists’ cooperative. This 14-story prewar structure was specifically designed to house creative professionals, making it a perfect fit for someone like Yarrow who needed both living space and room for artistic pursuits. The building’s reputation for housing musicians, painters, and other artists created a community atmosphere that aligned with Yarrow’s collaborative spirit.
The neighborhood surrounding the Peter Yarrow House offers everything a longtime New Yorker could want. The Upper West Side is known for its tree-lined streets, excellent restaurants, and cultural institutions. For Yarrow, this location provided easy access to recording studios, performance venues, and the network of fellow musicians and activists who were central to his life and career. The area’s family-friendly atmosphere also made it ideal for raising his two children, Bethany and Christopher.
2. Features of Peter Yarrow House
The Peter Yarrow House boasts an impressive array of features that blend historical charm with modern comfort. The apartment’s most striking element is its double-height great room, which served as the heart of both family life and musical collaboration. This expansive space features vaulted ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace with a carved stone mantel, and large windows that flood the room with natural light from both north and south exposures.
The architectural details throughout the Peter Yarrow House reflect its prewar heritage. Original features include textured plaster walls and ceilings, cast-iron sinks, and vintage light fixtures that Yarrow carefully preserved during his decades of ownership. The kitchen showcases particularly stunning original elements, including a barrel-vaulted firebrick ceiling and terracotta tile floors that give the space a distinctive character.
The layout of the Peter Yarrow House maximizes both privacy and entertaining space. The main level includes the great room, formal dining area, kitchen, and a guest bedroom, while the upper level houses the primary bedroom suite and additional bedrooms. A private elevator landing opens directly into the apartment, providing both convenience and exclusivity. The primary bedroom features a unique glass-paneled overlook into the great room below, allowing views of the dramatic double-height space. Additional amenities include basement storage, a small rooftop office space, and access to a shared rooftop terrace.
Conclusion
The Peter Yarrow House represents far more than luxury Manhattan real estate – it’s a piece of American cultural history where folk music legends gathered, civil rights strategies were planned, and countless memorable moments were created. From its double-height great room where Peter, Paul and Mary rehearsed their harmonies to its formal dining area where activists planned social change, this Upper West Side duplex witnessed decades of meaningful activity. Now available for $4.44 million, the Peter Yarrow House offers its next owner the chance to own a space where music and activism intersected to change the world, continuing the legacy of one of folk music’s most influential figures.
For more fascinating stories about celebrity homes and their incredible histories, keep exploring thisolderhouse – where every house has a story worth telling.
FAQs
What was Peter Yarrow’s cause of death?
Peter Yarrow died from bladder cancer on January 7, 2025, at the age of 86. He had been battling the disease for four years after being diagnosed in 2021. Yarrow passed away at his Upper West Side apartment in New York City after spending a month in hospice care. During his cancer treatment, he underwent three months of chemotherapy, but when that proved unsuccessful, he had his bladder surgically removed and later tried immunotherapy to prolong his life.
What song did Peter Yarrow write?
Peter Yarrow co-wrote several notable songs, but his most famous composition was “Puff, the Magic Dragon”. He wrote the music for this beloved children’s song based on a poem by his Cornell University classmate Leonard Lipton. The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1963. Yarrow also wrote other songs including “Day Is Done,” “Light One Candle” (about Hanukkah and peace), and “No Easy Walk to Freedom,” a civil rights anthem co-written with Margery Tabankin.
What did Mary Travers pass away from?
Mary Travers died from complications related to chemotherapy treatment for leukemia on September 16, 2009, at the age of 72. She had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2004 and underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in 2006 that initially eradicated the blood disease. However, she later required additional chemotherapy treatments, and it was the side effects from this chemotherapy that ultimately caused her death. Travers passed away at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut, where her mother had previously served as head of public relations.
Are any members of Peter, Paul and Mary still alive?
Yes, Noel Paul Stookey is the only surviving member of Peter, Paul and Mary. At 87 years old, Stookey is the last living member of the iconic folk trio following Mary Travers’s death in 2009 and Peter Yarrow’s death in January 2025. After Travers passed away, Yarrow and Stookey continued to perform both separately and together, though they no longer used the Peter, Paul and Mary name. Stookey continues to work as a solo artist and activist.
