An 84-year-old man has revealed how he secured a free flat in New York’s historic King Manor.
For more than 30 years, Roy Fox has been the caretaker of the landmark in Jamaica, Queens, which has since become his home.
He has recently Cash Jordan’s YouTube channel in a video titled: ‘He found a $0 NYC apartment… how?’
In the clip, Roy gave a comprehensive tour of King Manor itself, as well as a look at his compact apartment, which he filled with more than 4,000 books.
For more than 30 years, Roy Fox has been the caretaker of the landmark in Jamaica, Queens, which has since become his home
The 84-year-old revealed how he secured a free apartment in New York’s historic King Manor
The kitchen, which has remained untouched since he moved in in 1989, features an oven, freestanding refrigerator and a dishwasher that he has never used.
In the clip, Roy gave a comprehensive tour of King’s Manor itself and gave a glimpse of his compact apartment, which he filled with more than 4,000 books.
Roy, who previously worked as a broadcaster for 30 years, introduced himself before starting the tour of his unique abode.
He joked: ‘You’re looking at an 84-year-old man who has never, ever worked a legal day in his life.’
But in truth, Roy has worked tirelessly as the caretaker of King Manor for 34 years and lives full-time in a ‘secret’ apartment above the museum.
The house was once owned by Rufus King – born in 1755 – who signed the United States Constitution and was a passionate advocate for the abolition of slavery.
His family lived on the premises for three generations and one of the most famous overnight guests is John Quincy Adams who visited while he was running for president.
The mansion has since been converted into a museum boasting a study, kitchen, formal lounge and spacious dining room.
And the landmark is still home to original pieces such as Rufus King’s desk as well as that of his eldest son – former New York Governor John Alsop King.
Turning his attention to his own space, Roy takes the tour up to the apartment.
The house was once owned by Rufus King – born in 1755 – who signed the United States Constitution and was a passionate advocate for the abolition of slavery
The caretaker’s apartment, which takes up about two-thirds of the third floor, has its own bedroom
He said the tomes ‘reflected his extensive mind’ and included material on religion, science and world history – to name just a few
Roy, who shares the space with a pet cat, playfully agreed that he has the biggest back yard of anyone he knows, adding: ‘And an even bigger front yard’
His house spans about two-thirds of the third floor, as he reveals the rest is ‘where we store all the stuff we need to put away’.
Roy’s house boasts its own bedroom, bathroom and study area, each piled high with more than 4,000 books.
He said the tomes “reflected his extensive mind” and included material on religion, science and world history – to name just a few.
The kitchen, which has remained untouched since he moved in in 1989, features an oven, freestanding refrigerator and a dishwasher that he has never used.
Roy, who shares the space with a pet cat, playfully agreed that he has the biggest back yard of anyone he knows, adding: ‘And an even bigger front yard.
Roy, who previously worked as a broadcaster for 30 years, joked: ‘You’re looking at an 84-year-old who has never, ever worked a legal day in his life.’
The mansion has since been converted into a museum boasting a study, kitchen, formal lounge and spacious dining room (pictured)
Roy has remained a ‘fixture’ of the mansion for the past three decades. In the photo: The museum kitchen
The landmark is still home to original pieces such as Rufus King’s desk as well as that of his eldest son: former New York Governor John Alsop King
‘If you’re going to live in New York, that’s the way to live. Why would you be surrounded with buildings and noise – I don’t understand.’
Asked how he managed to beat the housing market and secure a place rent-free, Roy explains: ‘It’s a good deal, but there are 23 houses in the historic house system and someone along the way decided instead of 24-hour security to put private apartments in all these houses to increase the visibility create.’
According to the official website, Roy has remained an ‘anchor’ of the mansion for the past three decades.
It reads: ‘Come by on any given afternoon and his bright, unmistakable smile and dynamic personality will welcome you through our doors and into the world of Rufus King.’