The house, which once belonged to a pair of Russian spies, was acquired by Santander Bank, which hired Coldwell Banker to look into listing it, The New York Times reported Watch video
MONTCLAIR -- The Montclair spy house, vacated six years ago by its Russian undercover suburban homeowners, may be going back on the market, according to a published report.
The house, in the township's Fieldstone neighborhood, was once occupied by Russian spies Vladimir and Lydia Guryev, a.k.a., Richard and Cynthia Murphy, and their pre-teen daughters.
Authorities said the adults were part of an East Coast espionage cell, sent deep undercover to pose -- despite their Slavic accents -- as typical American families on a long-term mission to gather whatever useful intelligence they could. She worked for a financial advisor whose clients included Bill and Hillary Clinton. He was a stay-at-home dad.
The couple forfeited the house to the U.S. government as part of a plea deal, were deported home to Russia, and the case inspired the FX television series, "The Amercans." The U.S. Marshals Service put the house on the market in 2013, at an initial asking price of $444,900, but it never sold.
Recently, The New York Times reports, the house has been acquired by Boston-based Santander Bank, with neighbors long tired of the vacant eyesore at 31 Marquette Road now hopeful the bank will fix it up and sell it. The Times said Santander hired Coldwell Banker to list the house, which was built 56 years ago, at the height of the Cold War.
"We have been working with the approved brokers and we are ensuring that the property is being maintained in preparation for sale," a Santander spokeswoman told The Times in an email.
Zillow recently estimated its worth at $676,913.
Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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