Actor, comedian and writer Ellie Kemper and writer-producer Michael Koman are on the move, putting a $2.9 million price tag on their updated six-room pre-war co-operative apartment on New York’s Upper West Side.
Born to a prominent (and wealthy) Missouri banking family, Kemper is best known for her roles on “The Office,” in the hit film “Bridesmaids,” and as the relentlessly optimistic titular star of “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” which earned her two Emmy nominations and seven Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
Koman is less well known to TV watchers, but he won an Emmy in 2007 for his work as a writer on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and he has nine more Emmy nominations, including two for his work on “Saturday Night Live.” He co-created, wrote and executive produced the comedy docuseries “Nathan for You,” which ran four seasons on Comedy Central, and he currently serves as a writer and executive producer for the HBO comedy docuseries “How To with John Wilson.”
Purchased by the low-key showbiz couple a bit more than six years ago for $2.875 million, the 1,900-square-foot residence, on a lower floor of a handsome 13-story red- and orange-brick apartment house built in 1916, has since had a comprehensive overhaul.
A built-in day bed was added to the small en-suite bedroom behind the kitchen, which was originally designed to house domestic staff; closets were expanded and added to the primary bedroom, which also saw the bathroom get a wee bit bigger; the kitchen and service areas were reconfigured, with a built-in dining banquette removed so that the laundry machines, which were in what was originally designed as a butler’s pantry, could be moved to a small room just inside the rear service door. Also added were double-pane thermal windows and a full electrical upgrade.
Other notable features include a spacious foyer with two closets, a guest bedroom with three closets, two marble baths — the third has more humble ceramic tile, herringbone-pattern oak floorboards, a fireplace in the living room, and a dining room large enough to accommodate a comfy lounge.
Cleared of personal belongings and staged for the selling process, the three-bedroom and three-bath apartment is available through Maria Manuche at Compass. Listings show maintenance charges run just over $2,900 a month, and the pet-friendly full-service building requires a minimum of 40% down payment.
With two young kids and careers on the rise, it’s a pretty good guess the Kemper-Komans have set themselves up in larger (and more expensive) digs.
