Inside Anderson Cooper's Converted Firehouse Home Where He Lives with Kids He Shares with His Ex-Partner

Anderson Cooper and his former partner, Benjamin Maisani, are dedicated co-parents to their two children, who reside with the journalist in his unique firehouse-turned-home.

On February 10, 2022, Anderson Cooper shared the joyous news of his second child's arrival on his program, “Anderson Cooper 360.” The esteemed CNN anchor shares this son with his former longtime partner and cherished best friend, Benjamin Maisani. The two are also the proud parents of their first son, whom they welcomed into their lives two years prior. Benjamin, a successful businessman, ventured into entrepreneurship by opening his “Eastern Bloc” bar, a decision sparked by his experiences working in the nightlife industry. His establishment quickly became a notable spot, attracting a diverse clientele, including several celebrities. While it remains uncertain whether Anderson frequented the bar himself, his close friend Andy Cohen was reportedly a regular patron. After years together, Benjamin and Anderson expanded their family with the birth of their second son in 2022. In his heartfelt announcement, Anderson introduced their new addition, stating:

“This is Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper. He weighed 6.8 pounds at birth, and he’s healthy and happy. Even his little hiccups are utterly adorable to me. He spends most of his time sleeping, eating, and, well, you know… but he already strikes me as a wise and thoughtful little champion.” The devoted co-parent also expressed his sincere gratitude to the incredible nurses and doctors who played a crucial role in Sebastian’s arrival. Anderson further extended his appreciation to the compassionate surrogate who carried his second son. He thanked her and her family for their selfless sacrifices and the immense love they showered upon Sebastian throughout the past year. This wasn’t the first time the respected television personality shared the special news of his children’s births on air. Following the arrival of his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, Anderson took to CNN to joyfully announce that he had become a father. On February 25, 2022, Anderson participated in an interview on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” where he provided viewers with a heartwarming update on the budding relationship between Wyatt and Sebastian, sharing:

“They seem to be getting along really well. Although, ‘getting along well’ mostly means Sebastian is asleep! Wyatt can’t quite pronounce Sebastian yet, so he affectionately calls him Luke. Every morning, his first request is to go and say, ‘Good morning, Luke.’” After Sebastian’s birth, Anderson took a well-deserved three-week paternity leave to immerse himself in those precious early moments with his newborn son. Speaking with Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa before his break, he shared how much he was cherishing the time with his boys, noting, “It’s great to be able to come home and decompress in their loving presence.” The dedicated father of two also revealed their comforting nightly routine with Wyatt, saying, “And every night, being able to feed Wyatt his milk and have him fall asleep on my chest is a feeling like no other. There’s truly nothing better.” Anderson and his boys have also established a delightful morning ritual. They enjoy visiting their local diner regularly, and Wyatt and Sebastian both love their time splashing around for a swim. The proud parent finds immense joy in preparing his sons for their afternoon nap by sitting and reading to them until they peacefully drift off to sleep in his arms.

Wyatt and Sebastian are also developing a wonderful bond as they play together, even enjoying some of their famous dad’s cherished old toys – the very same ones he played with alongside his own brother during childhood. Anderson has expressed that witnessing the sweet relationship between his sons is “incredible” to behold. Benjamin, a successful property and nightclub owner, began his co-parenting journey with Anderson when Wyatt was born. The accomplished news anchor explained that he and his former partner would continue to co-parent despite no longer being in a romantic relationship, emphasizing, “We’re a family, and that’s what matters.”

In a revealing interview, he shared that their co-parenting dynamic feels remarkably effortless. When Anderson is working during the night, Benjamin lovingly takes on the responsibility of caring for their children. They both make sure to wake up just before the boys stir, prepare their milk, and then cherish the first few hours of the day together as a family. According to Anderson, Benjamin lovingly speaks to their sons in French, enriching their early development with multilingual exposure. Anderson clarified their united approach to raising little Sebastian, stating, “We’re co-parents, and we are unequivocally a family.” Benjamin had already initiated the legal process of adopting their first child, who affectionately calls him “Papa.” The older boy has given the television personality the endearing title of “Daddy.” Once the adoption is finalized, Wyatt’s last name will be officially changed to incorporate both parents, becoming Maisani-Cooper, mirroring Sebastian’s name.

In a heartfelt interview in September 2023, the esteemed 56-year-old broadcaster openly expressed his profound joy in being a father, declaring, “This is unequivocally the best time in my life. There is absolutely no doubt about it.”

Anderson’s Relationship & Co-parenting with Benjamin Maisani

Anderson and Benjamin’s relationship began in 2009, and they publicly acknowledged their partnership in 2015. In 2018, they revealed their amicable separation. Although their romantic relationship had evolved, the deep bond they shared remained strong, leading Anderson to make a significant announcement: “Benjamin is going to be a co-parent to Wyatt even though we’re not together anymore. He is my family, and I want him to be Wyatt’s family as well. Our commitment to our children is unwavering.”

In September 2021, Anderson openly discussed the unique co-parenting arrangement he and his ex-partner had established. He candidly shared that this setup worked exceptionally well for them and for Wyatt, noting, “It’s probably an unusual setup for some, but I always knew he would be a great dad, and he absolutely is. We’re exes, but we remain family to each other, and our love for each other as family and as co-parents is profound.” The accomplished author frequently shares updates about his older son and once expressed his disappointment at missing Wyatt’s first steps. While Benjamin typically maintains a more private presence on social media, he once remarked on the positive transformation he witnessed in Anderson after Wyatt’s arrival. Anderson further elaborated on their co-parenting philosophy, stating, “I’ve always believed that if you’ve shared a deep connection with someone and the intimate aspect of the relationship ends, if there’s still love there, there’s absolutely no reason why that love shouldn’t continue to exist and evolve in a different form.”

In February 2021, during an engaging interview on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Anderson confided in host Ellen DeGeneres that he and Benjamin had initially held different perspectives regarding starting a family. The respected journalist elaborated, “It’s interesting, because he wasn’t entirely sure if he wanted to have children—which was actually one of the factors that likely contributed to our breakup—but then, he wholeheartedly embraced the idea. Now, he is such an incredibly devoted and wonderful parent.”

Inside Anderson’s Firehouse, Where He Lives with His Kids

On June 9, 2020, Anderson graciously provided People magazine with an intimate tour of the remarkable home he meticulously converted from a historic fire station. Viewers were given a special glimpse into his first son’s thoughtfully designed nursery, where a calming blue theme was consistently carried throughout the inviting space. The nursery was still in the process of being fully decorated, with some cherished photos yet to be hung. A particularly meaningful painting, created by Anderson’s late mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, depicting herself alongside the star’s late father, for whom Wyatt was named, held a prominent place on one of the walls. Another poignant image showcased Anderson’s own handprint from his childhood, a tangible link to his past. One cozy corner of the room was filled with a delightful collection of beloved stuffed animals that once belonged to the doting dad, adding a touch of nostalgia. The charming blue wallpaper featured an intriguing beetle design, and a whimsical paper-mâché cupid was playfully suspended above the baby’s pristine white crib. Anderson thoughtfully explained his intention for every item in his son’s room to possess personal history and significance, creating a space filled with love and connection to family. A practical changing area was set up, and a sweet picture of Benjamin and his sister from their younger years was lovingly added to the room’s décor.

Anderson made the significant purchase of the expansive 8,240 square feet Greenwich Village, New York firehouse in September 2010 for $4.3 million. The unique property retained many of its original architectural features, including the iconic brass fire poles, remnants of dry hoses, elegant spiral staircases, and walls adorned with captivating murals that proudly showcased the fire station’s rich history. Adding to its notable history, in 2015, the firehouse served as a distinctive backdrop for an H&M campaign featuring the renowned David Beckham and the charismatic Kevin Hart.

In September 2018, the respected “60 Minutes” correspondent offered an indirect peek into his extraordinary residence to The Hollywood Reporter during an immersive three-day feature with the publication. At the time, Anderson shared his home with Lilly, his cherished Welsh springer spaniel, and he and Benjamin had navigated their breakup earlier that year. Anderson dedicated several years to the meticulous restoration of the firehouse, including the installation of a convenient elevator. The second floor of the home houses a sophisticated salon adorned with intriguing taxidermy and distinguished Old Master paintings, alongside a collection of hand-painted signs that he thoughtfully acquired during his travels to Cuba and Africa, each piece telling its own story.

The West Village home boasts a functional kitchen island, perfect for family gatherings, and the inviting living room features a side table graced by a Victorian calendar that Anderson discovered in his mother’s bedroom. The calendar poignantly displays the date July 22, 1988, the day his beloved brother, Carter Cooper, tragically passed away by suicide at the young age of 23 in their mother’s apartment. Gloria relocated several times after the devastating loss of her son, always keeping the significant calendar close. Anderson once explained that after his mother’s passing and the subsequent clearing of her apartment, he felt a strong need to hold onto certain meaningful items that represented their shared history.

Among the personal artifacts thoughtfully displayed throughout the home is his great-great-grandfather’s significant Civil War commissioning notice, a tangible link to his family’s past. A powerful photograph taken by his late friend, Tim Hetherington, captures a younger Anderson during his time in Afghanistan, serving as a poignant reminder of his experiences. Another striking item within the firehouse is an 18th-century Italian marble Memento Mori, a contemplative piece reflecting on mortality. The firehouse itself, originally built in 1906, underwent a respectful renovation led by architect Cary Tamarkin, who skillfully preserved the integrity of the 20th-century Beaux-Arts building’s interiors.

As mentioned earlier, in 2015, Anderson’s unique home served as the location for an H&M advertising campaign starring David Beckham and Kevin Hart. This advert provided a broader audience with a glimpse into Anderson’s beautiful and character-filled residence, showcasing its welcoming living room, well-equipped gym, relaxing roof terrace, and one of his elegantly appointed bedrooms.

Anderson experienced the profound loss of his mother in 2019 at the age of 95. Long before her passing, he had also endured the heartbreaking loss of his brother a decade after their father’s death from a heart attack in 1978. For many years, Anderson consciously avoided fully confronting his grief. However, he eventually made the courageous decision to face it head-on. He embarked on this personal journey through his introspective podcast, “All There Is With Anderson Cooper,” where he engaged in deeply meaningful conversations, including an interview with actress Molly Shannon, who openly shared her own experiences with grief. “It has certainly made me feel less alone,” Anderson thoughtfully reflected on the impact of his podcast, highlighting its power to connect with others through shared human experiences.