The eclectic London home designed by Freddie Mercury to suit his eccentric lifestyle is on the market with offers in excess of £30 million (US$38 million).
Garden Lodge, located in the capital’s exclusive Kensington neighborhood, was Mercury’s most beloved home from the time he first viewed it in 1980 and decided to buy it on the spot until his death in 1991, at which point The Queen frontman’s mansion and all that was left behind. It was bequeathed to his former fiancée and best friend, Mary Austin.
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In the 30 years since then, Austin has managed the home “with the utmost care,” said Knight Frank, who listed the private walled estate on Monday.
“This house was a box of the most glorious memories because there was love and warmth in every room,” Austin, 72, said in a statement. “It’s been so much fun living here and I have so many great memories. Now that it’s empty, I go back to the feeling I had when I first saw it.”
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“Ever since Freddie and I stepped through those legendary green doors, it has been a place of peace, a true artist’s home. Now it’s time to pass that peace on to the next generation,” she said.
Mercury designed this home to be a memorable and welcoming place that reflects his personality. As an example, Mercury chose his dining room painted bright yellow, his favorite color.
It also serves as a showcase for his collection of beautiful objects and art from around the world, many of which were sold at auction last year.
The house’s most “spectacular” space is the two-story reception room, with a wraparound gallery that serves as a library and bar overlooking the room and a Mercury grand piano.
There is also a Japanese-style room that connects to the home’s Japanese-style garden, which Mercury helped with the landscaping and features magnolia trees, topiary, and water features.
Meanwhile, the master bedroom suite was lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrored doors, behind which Mercury stored his clothes and stage costumes.
“The sale of Garden Lodge offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of cultural history, a significant piece of real estate combined with an icon’s beloved home,” said Knight Frank Prime Sales and Co. said global head Paddy Dolling. The director of that private office.
“We expect that the exceptional provenance of this property, which has been lovingly and respectfully preserved over the past 30 years, will make it incredibly attractive to buyers from around the world.” he said. “Despite the heritage of this house, it is very rare to find a non-modern home of this scale, surrounded by such beautiful mature gardens, on the market. It’s definitely an exciting prospect.”
Mercury (real name Farrokh Bulsara) formed Queen, one of the best-selling bands of all time, in 1970. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987 and died at the age of 45 from complications from AIDS, the day after announcing his diagnosis.