Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas's former New Jersey home asks $7.5M

New York Post

3 days ago

A Montclair, New Jersey residence that was once home to Kool & The Gang's founding member Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas is on the market for $7.5 million, Gimme Shelter has learned.
That's a staggering 525% increase from the $1.2 million the sellers paid for the property in 2021.
The six-bedroom, two-family dwelling at 82-84 Watchung Ave. sits on just under half an acre. It's divided into two townhouses, with three bedrooms apiece. The townhouses are also available for rent; each one asks $18,000 a month.
Advertisement
10 Thomas passed away in his sleep in 2021.
ullstein bild via Getty Images
10 Despite his passing, Kool & The Gang is actively touring.
Redferns
10 The handsome exterior of the property.
Brown Harris Stevens
10 It's a two-family home, with flexible uses possible, according to the listing.
Brown Harris Stevens
Advertisement
10 The interiors are worthy of a design magazine.
Jacob Snavely
The home, which was built in 1908, was lovingly 'restored and renovated to bring it back to its former beauty,' said listing broker Allison Maguire, of Brown Harris Stevens,
'The work that went into the house — from the craftmanship, to the millwork and the design choices — it's just gorgeous,' Maguire said, adding that the seller is 'an extended band family member.'
Thomas — an alto saxophone player, flautist and percussionist — died in his sleep at age 70, in 2021. He purchased the home for $374,000 in 1999 and was a beloved member of the Montclair community.
Advertisement
'The town's Fourth of July parade would always go by the house and people would wave to him,' said Maguire.
The two-time Grammy-winning group is known for its jazzy soul-funk hits like 'Celebration' and 'Get Down On It.' Thomas was with the band for more than half a century from 1964 into the 2020s. Kool & The Gang is still actively touring.
Montclair is known for attracting creatives who enjoy the small-town atmosphere within easy reach to Manhattan. Famed residents include make-up mogul Bobbi Brown, who has a hotel in Montclair, and Stephen Colbert, whose show was recently canceled by CBS as Paramount and Skydance merged in a massive $8.4 billion deal.
Advertisement
10 The eat-in kitchen comes with a breakfast bar.
Brown Harris Stevens
10 Each townhouse features an eat-in kitchen and an adjacent sunlit dining room.
Brown Harris Stevens
10 The cozy fire-lit family room.
Brown Harris Stevens
10 Each townhouse has three bedrooms.
Brown Harris Stevens
10 A lovely spa-like bath retreat.
Brown Harris Stevens
We hear that Adam Sandler is also renting a home in Montclair, as he works on a new, untitled Netflix film tentatively called 'Roommates,' according to reports. He has also been spotted at local restaurants and playing basketball at Rand Park.
The townhomes feature three bedrooms, four baths and one powder room — plus an in-home elevator that connects all levels. There's also a heated two-car garage that could also be transformed into a studio or gym.
The offering works as a family compound or it could be used to generate income from one townhouse while living in the other, the listing notes.
Advertisement
The main level of each townhouse is anchored by a double-sided gas fireplace. Design details throughout include white oak floors, custom lighting and organic textures. There's also a sunlit chef's kitchen with a 9-foot island for casual meals.
A top-floor bedroom comes with a spa-like bath with radiant floor heating and a walk-in closet.
The finished basement can operate as a family room, a guest suite or an office. The house also features a wraparound porch and a backyard.