Kelly Killoren Bensimon, the Unofficial Commissioner of NYC’s Police Building

By Grace Cassidy Few real estate brokers in New York City have the kind of deep connection with an iconic building like the one that Kelly Killoren Bensimon has with 240 Centre Street in lower Manhattan. Long before she launched her career as a broker and began representing multiple listings in the building, Bensimon was a resident of the luxury co-op conversion dubbed the Police Building. “Many iterations of Kelly have lived there; first as a model and student, then magazine editor, author, mother, and tv-personality,” she said. Built in 1909, when future President Theodore Roosevelt was supposed to be the city’s police commissioner, 240 Centre Street served as the New York City Police Headquarters until 1973. It was designated a landmark in 1978 and went co-op in 1988. Bensimon moved into the building 30 years ago, as she was finishing up college and modelling. In those days, her illustrious neighbors included supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista, makeup guru Francois Nars, her professor at Columbia Univiersity, Toni Morrison, Calvin Klein, Steffi Graff and Conan O’Brian, among many others. “It was so quiet then,” she said of the Little Italy neighborhood, “now, the area has evolved so much.” Each of the building’s 55 residences are duplexes. While some buyers have combined multiple adjacent units to create larger apartments, the building itself has undergone no major renovations or alterations due to its landmark status. One of Bensimon’s favorite units, 3DE unit , which is on the market for $6.3 million, features soaring 16-foot ceilings, a modern kitchen, European hardwood floors and custom outsized windows that allow for copious amounts of natural light. Another unit, 2K unit,  showcases a wall of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the living room and a well-equipped U-shaped kitchen. Her asking price is $3.55 million. “It’s a really interesting juxtaposition with modern interiors of the units with the Old Guard common space and exterior,” Bensimon explained. 240 Centre Street #2K 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #3DE 240 Centre Street #2K 240 Centre Street #2K 240 Centre Street #2K 240 Centre Street #2K Buyers and renters are drawn to the Police Building not only for its history and location, but also for its services and amenities, including access to a sun-drenched gym, quiet communal garden and uptown-style white-glove service. The style and location resonate with the kind of clientele—from ultra-high-net-worth individuals to successful models, actors and athletes—who value the privacy and discretion the building affords. “I can tell you who  lived  there, but I can’t tell you who  lives there,” Bensimon added. “The only people allowed in the building are residents and people who work there. Safety and service are paramount.” At the foundation of her connection and experience with the Police Building is a genuine love and reverence for the building and its occupants. “I want to create as much value as possible for the tenants,” she said. “When people think of the building, they think of me—not just because of the sales, but because of the living experience and the respect I have for it.” All of these qualities have made the Police Building extremely desirable for people representing a range of ages and backgrounds—including many who began as renters and went on to become owners. “You’ll never want to leave.” Bensimon said. “From your first rental to your first purchase, it becomes home. You become part of a special community.”