Financier Michael Daffey has undertaken extensive renovations at the former Upper East Side townhouse of Jeffrey Epstein, aiming to remove traces of its previous owner. The 20,000-square-foot mansion at 9 East 71st Street underwent a $925,000 renovation that included significant structural and aesthetic changes.
Daffey, previously an executive at Goldman Sachs and now chairman of Galaxy Digital, completed the work last year after purchasing the property for $51 million in 2021. At the time of purchase, sources indicated he planned “a complete makeover, physically and spiritually.”
The renovation included demolishing the wall of a bedroom at the rear of the house. According to Virginia Giuffre’s memoir “Nobody’s Girl,” published earlier this week, this was where she claimed to have been repeatedly raped by Epstein between 2000 and 2002. In her account, Giuffre described the room as “gloomy” and “garish,” with details such as “black-lacquered cabinetry, bloodred carpets, a huge taxidermied tiger and a custom-made chess set whose pieces were scantily clad women.” She also noted that there was an intercom system used by Epstein.
Giuffre died by suicide in April.
The renovations affected five floors and included removing large portions of gilded ceilings, light fixtures, molding, and tiling. Walls separating several rooms were taken down to create an open space. A brass “JE” on the building’s facade was also removed.
Epstein acquired the mansion in 1998 for $20 million from Les Wexner, founder of L Brands. The home was once considered New York City’s largest private residence but struggled to sell after Epstein’s death in federal custody while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The initial asking price when it went on sale in 2020 was $88 million but was later reduced to $65 million.
Public reaction remains mixed regarding the property’s legacy. Local resident Henry Francois told reporters: “It’s a dark, dark, weird place,” adding that even without believing in ghosts he feels uneasy around it.
Past reporting by The New York Times detailed Epstein’s close relationship with Wexner and featured images showing unusual decor inside the home, including a sculpture of a bride suspended from the atrium ceiling.
