Donald Trump’s childhood home in Queens has sold for $1.93 million after an extensive renovation rescued the property from years of neglect.
The Tudor-style house in Jamaica Estates was built by Trump’s father, property developer Fred Trump, in 1940. The future president lived there until he was four, although the family has not owned the five-bedroom, three-bathroom residence for years.
The buyer’s identity has not been disclosed. The sale appeared on property websites on Friday after a contract was agreed in July.
Developer Tommy Lin bought the vacant house last year for $835,000 and spent a further $500,000 on an eight-month refurbishment. The work included a chef’s kitchen, herringbone flooring and bathrooms designed with spa-style features.
The property had changed hands several times in recent years. It sold for $2.14 million a few months after Mr Trump became president in 2017, and was subsequently offered for short-term rent with Trump memorabilia, including cardboard cut-outs, copies of his book The Art of the Deal and a framed People magazine cover.
It was placed on the market again in 2019 with an asking price of $2.9 million, but remained unsold until Mr Lin purchased it. In the intervening period, the house reportedly suffered water damage and mould after a burst pipe, while feral cats occupied parts of the building.
Mr Trump, now 80, built his fortune in property, including through Manhattan’s Trump Tower, before entering politics. As president, he has overseen plans for a large ballroom at the White House and changes to the Oval Office featuring gold-coloured fixtures.
