Yogi Berra House: Inside the Yankees Legend’s Montclair Home
The Yogi Berra House at 19 Highland Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey, is a historic 1902 Colonial that the Yankees legend and his wife Carmen called home for nearly 40 years. Listed for $888,000 in 2014 as a tribute to his No. 8 jersey, the six-bedroom property sold for $988,888.
The house features a three-story spiral staircase, a lemonade porch, and views of the New York City skyline.
The Story Behind the Yogi Berra House
Yogi Berra is one of the most recognisable names in baseball history. He won 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees and became famous for his witty sayings, known as “Yogi-isms.” But beyond the stadium lights and the championship rings, Berra was a family man who put down deep roots in Montclair, New Jersey.
The Yogi Berra House on Highland Avenue represents more than just a place where a celebrity lived. It tells the story of a man who valued family, community, and simplicity. For nearly four decades, this colonial home served as the backdrop for the Berra family’s everyday life. It was where Yogi and Carmen raised their three sons and where they hosted friends, teammates, and neighbours.
This article takes you inside the Yogi Berra House. You will learn about its history, its unique features, and why it continues to capture the imagination of baseball fans and real estate enthusiasts alike.
Where Is the Yogi Berra House Located?
The Yogi Berra House sits at 19 Highland Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey. Montclair is a charming township in Essex County, about 14 miles west of New York City. The town is known for its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and vibrant downtown area.
The house is situated on a ridge, which provides seasonal views of the New York City skyline. This proximity to the city made it convenient for Berra to commute to Yankee Stadium during his playing and coaching days. The property is also located just blocks from downtown Montclair and close to the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Centre.
Montclair has long been a popular choice for celebrities and professionals who want to live close to New York City while enjoying a suburban lifestyle. The town’s excellent schools, historic architecture, and strong sense of community made it an ideal place for the Berra family to settle down.
The Story Behind the $888,000 Listing Price
When the Yogi Berra House went on the market in April 2014, the listing price caught everyone’s attention. The asking price was $888,000. This was no coincidence.
Yogi Berra wore the number 8 on his jersey throughout his entire career with the New York Yankees. The number 8 was retired by the Yankees in 1972, and it remains one of the most iconic numbers in baseball history. By pricing the house at $888,000, the Berra family paid a fitting tribute to the legendary catcher’s career.
The listing agent, Julie Rowley of Keller Williams, confirmed that the family chose the price specifically to honour Yogi’s jersey number. The number 8 also appears in other aspects of Berra’s legacy. For example, all dimensions on the field of Yogi Berra Stadium also end in the number 8.
The house eventually sold for $988,888. The final sale price added another layer of meaning. The extra $100,888 kept the number 8 theme alive while also reflecting the competitive nature of the Montclair real estate market.
Inside the Yogi Berra House: Architecture and Features
The Yogi Berra House is a Colonial-style home built in 1902. It spans approximately 4,502 square feet and sits on a 0.46-acre lot. The property includes six bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
Here are some of the standout features of the home:
The Three-Story Spiral Staircase
One of the most striking features of the Yogi Berra House is the magnificent three-story spiral staircase. This architectural centrepiece greets visitors as soon as they step through the front door. Carmen Berra fell in love with this staircase at first sight when the family purchased the home in 1974.
The staircase adds a sense of elegance and grandeur to the home. It is the kind of feature that makes a house memorable and gives it character.
The Lemonade Porch
The house features a wide, wraparound front porch that locals call the “lemonade porch”. This porch is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the neighbourhood. You can easily imagine Yogi Berra spending summer evenings on this porch, chatting with neighbours or enjoying a cold drink after a long day.
The lemonade porch represents the transition from the public life of a baseball superstar to the private life of a family man. It is a reminder that even the most famous athletes need a place to unwind.
Formal Dining Room and Wood-Paneled Den
The interior of the Yogi Berra House includes a formal dining room and wood-panelled den with a fireplace. These rooms were likely the setting for many family dinners, holiday celebrations, and gatherings with friends and teammates.
The home also features two regular fireplaces and a double-sided fireplace. These fireplaces add warmth and cosiness to the living spaces, making the house feel inviting and lived-in.
Master Suite and Additional Amenities
The master suite includes a dressing room, a large bathroom, and a decorative fireplace. The house also has central air conditioning, hardwood floors, and an arts and crafts room. These features add to the home’s comfort and appeal.
Views of the New York City Skyline
Because the house is situated on a ridge, it offers seasonal views of the Manhattan skyline. For Yogi Berra, this view was a constant reminder of the city where he built his legendary career.
The Sale History of the Yogi Berra House
The Yogi Berra House has an interesting sales history. The Berras purchased the home in 1974 and lived there until 2012, when they moved to an assisted living facility in West Caldwell.
In April 2014, the house was listed for $888,000. The listing attracted significant media attention because of the connection to the baseball legend and the creative pricing strategy.
The house sold quickly. The final sale price was $988,888. This was $100,888 more than the asking price, which shows the strong demand for homes with celebrity connections in Montclair.
It is worth noting that the Yogi Berra House on Highland Avenue is not the only Berra residence in Montclair. The family previously lived in a Tudor-style home on Wayside Place. The Berras moved to the Wayside Place home in the late 1950s and lived there until they downsized to the Highland Avenue property in 1974.
The Wayside Place home, built in 1930, is 6,800 square feet and sits on a 1.4-acre lot. It went on the market in 2017 for $3.2 million. The home features five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, a dining room with a cathedral ceiling, a library, a billiards room, bluestone terraces, a pool, an outdoor fireplace, a gazebo, and a bocce court.
Yogi Berra’s Life and Legacy in Montclair
Yogi Berra and his wife Carmen moved to Montclair in 1958. They raised their three sons in the community and became beloved figures in the town.
The couple’s marriage was one of the great love stories in sports. They were married for 65 years. Carmen passed away in March 2014 at the age of 85. Yogi followed a year later, passing away on September 22, 2015, at the age of 90.
The Berras’ ties to Montclair run deep. The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Centre is located on the campus of Montclair State University in nearby Little Falls. The museum features photos and artefacts from Berra’s career and serves as an educational resource for the community.
Mike Lupica, a columnist for the New York Daily News, described how the Berras’ home reflected their loving relationship. “If you were lucky enough to know her, to know the two of them, you understood it all the moment you walked through the front door of their home. You saw the way he always looked at her, and she looked at him,” Lupica wrote.
What Makes the Yogi Berra House Special?
The Yogi Berra House is more than just a piece of real estate. It is a piece of baseball history. Here are a few reasons why this house continues to fascinate people:
The Connection to a Legend: Yogi Berra is one of the greatest catchers in baseball history. He won 3 American League MVP awards and appeared in 14 World Series. Any home associated with such a legendary figure carries historical significance.
The Architectural Charm: The house is a beautiful example of early 20th-century Colonial architecture. The three-story spiral staircase, the lemonade porch, and the formal dining room all contribute to its old-world elegance.
The Tribute to Number 8: The $888,000 listing price and the $988,888 final sale price both pay homage to Berra’s iconic jersey number. This creative approach to pricing made the story of the house even more memorable.
The Location: Montclair is one of New Jersey’s most desirable towns. Its proximity to New York City, its excellent schools, and its historic homes make it a sought-after place to live.
Other Homes Connected to Yogi Berra
While the Highland Avenue house is the most famous Yogi Berra residence, it is not the only one. Here is a quick comparison of the two main Berra homes in Montclair:
| Feature | Yogi Berra House (Highland Ave) | Wayside Tudor |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural Style | 1902 Colonial | 1930 Tudor |
| Square Footage | 4,502 sq ft | 6,800 sq ft |
| Bedrooms / Baths | 6 Beds / 3.5 Baths | 5 Beds / 5.5 Baths |
| Key Features | Spiral staircase, lemonade porch | Cathedral ceiling, billiards room, pool |
| Sale Price | $988,888 (2014) | $3.2 million (2017 listing) |
The Berras also owned a vacation home in Florida. In addition, there is a house in Tenafly, New Jersey, that was originally built for Yogi Berra. That property sold in April 2024 for $1.8 million.
The Yogi Berra House Today
The Yogi Berra House on Highland Avenue is privately owned and not open to the public. However, fans of the baseball legend can still visit Montclair to see the exterior of the home and explore the town where Berra lived for so many years.
The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Centre is open to the public and offers a deeper look into Berra’s life and career. The museum is located at 8 Yogi Berra Drive in Little Falls, on the campus of Montclair State University. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM.
The museum features exhibits on Berra’s playing career, his military service in World War II, and his impact on popular culture. It also hosts educational programs for students and community groups.
Final Thoughts
The Yogi Berra House on Highland Avenue is a significant piece of baseball history. It represents the life of a man who achieved greatness on the field but remained humble and grounded off it. For nearly 40 years, this colonial home was the centre of the Berra family’s world. It was where Yogi and Carmen raised their children, entertained friends, and built a life together.
The house’s architectural charm, its connection to a beloved sports icon, and its creative pricing strategy all contribute to its enduring appeal. Whether you are a baseball fan, a history buff, or a real estate enthusiast, the story of the Yogi Berra House offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of America’s most cherished athletes.
If you are ever in Montclair, take a moment to drive by 19 Highland Avenue. You will see a beautiful old house that holds decades of memories. And you will be reminded of the man who once called it home, the man who said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
FAQs About the Yogi Berra House
How much did the Yogi Berra House sell for?
The Yogi Berra House on Highland Avenue in Montclair sold for $988,888 in 2014. The original asking price was $888,000, a tribute to Berra’s No. 8 jersey.
Where is the Yogi Berra House located?
The house is located at 19 Highland Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey. It sits on a ridge that offers seasonal views of the New York City skyline.
Did Yogi Berra live in other houses in Montclair?
Yes. The Berras lived in a Tudor-style home on Wayside Place in Montclair from the late 1950s until 1974. They moved to the Highland Avenue house in 1974.
Is the Yogi Berra House open to the public?
No. The house is privately owned and is not open for tours. However, you can visit the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Centre in Little Falls to learn more about his life and career.
Why was the house listed for $888,000?
The listing price of $888,000 was a tribute to Yogi Berra’s jersey number 8. Berra wore number 8 throughout his entire career with the New York Yankees.
