The childhood home of legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G. is the latest example of extreme gentrification in New York.
According to Curbed New York, the Clinton Hill home referenced in Biggie's hit single "Juicy" has been listed for $4,000 per month. The condo is now a luxury styled-apartment with three bedrooms, one bathroom, office space, hardwood floors and high ceilings. The listing also states pets are not allowed.
“Call the crib. Same number. Same hood.” No longer the place where he ate sardines for dinner. It looks cute. But other beauty has been lost. Gentrification is complicated. “And if you don’t know, now you know.” https://t.co/XsFokcYQfF
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 21, 2019
While the $4000 price tag seems pricey, data showing the average rent prices for apartments in the city paint a different picture. The average rent for an apartment home is $3,519 — a 2.9% increase from last year when the average rent was $3,417. In just March of this year, rent rose 2.5% when the average rent was $3,431, according to Rent Jungle.
Biggie's old apartment is next to the Clinton-Washington Avenue C train stop. So, the price reflects the location. A two bedroom, on average, is $3,777 — just as expensive as the Clinton Hill condo.
My mama said if biggie himself ain’t in there she can’t do it for 4K
— Slim Deezy (@PaulyDee90) June 22, 2019
The listing comes out just a week after the street of 226 Saint James Place was renamed to Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace Way.
Fans and activists worked diligently to get the intersection renamed. Dating back as early as 2013, community leaders attempted to shut down plans to give Wallace his own street due to his violent lyrics and drug-dealing past.
Ironically, now that he has his own street, many of those fans are probably unable to live on it due to the exorbitant rent prices.