NJ Mansion Owned By Co-Founder Of 'Kool & The Gang' Hits Market For $7.5M

MONTCLAIR, NJ - The owners of a home in Montclair are hoping for a major celebration to the tune of a $7.5 million payday.

A mansion once owned by Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas of the iconic band "Kool & The Gang" is up for sale for 525 percent higher than the $1.2 million paid when it last sold in 2021, the New York Post reports. Thomas owned the home from 1999 to 2021 when he died in his sleep at the age of 70. An alto saxophone player, flautist and percussionist, he and his Kool & The Gang bandmates originated in Jersey City, and were elected as members to the New Jersey Hall of Fame's Class of 2015.

Thomas bought the 32-room, dual four-story townhome property at 82-84 Watching Ave. for $374,000 in 1999. Each townhome has its own three bedrooms, 4 and a half baths, an elevator and a climate-controlled two-car garage that can accommodate vehicles, a studio space, or an in-home gym. There is also a finished basement that walks up to two double-sided gas fireplaces, one for each townhouse.

The home, built in 1908, is being placed on the market by an extended family member of the band and sits on property that measures out to just under half an acre. Each townhouse is also available to rent separately at a rate of $18,000 per month.

The two-time Grammy-winning group known for hits like "Celebration" and "Get Down On It" is still touring today without Thomas, who was with the band for more than 50 years from its beginning in 1964. Being named "the band of the eighties" by iconic radio DJ Casey Kasem and selling over 70 million records worldwide, Kool & The Gang earned a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame and has toured with the likes of Elton John and Van Halen over their illustrious journey.

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Montclair continues to put together a history of drawing high-profile entertainment figures to the area. Residents have included both Bobbi Brown, and Stephen Colbert. Reports of Adam Sandler currently renting a home are also circulating as he is back in New Jersey filming his most recent Netflix project, "Roommates."

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