Freddie Mercury’s Kensington house has come to market for the first time since the singer bought it in the Eighties..
One of the greatest rock frontmen of all time, Queen’s Freddie Mercury was famous for his theatrical style and four octave vocal range. Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, he fled to England with his family in the wake of the Zanzibar Revolution, in which many Arabs and South Asians were massacred. Settling near London, he studied graphic art and design (which he would later use to design Queen’s logo) and sold second-hand clothes with future Queen drummer Roger Taylor at the Kensington Market. He fronted a series of bands, but his career really took off in 1973, when he joined with Taylor, guitarist Brian May, and bassist John Deacon to produce Queen’s first self-titled album. He would perform over 700 shows with the band, thrilling sold-out stadiums with his unique style and strong connection to his audience. He died of AIDS in 1991, but his music lives on, with Queen’s Greatest Hits the best-selling album of all time in the UK, and two of his songs “We Are The Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” voted best songs of all time in major polls, and his induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Mercury left his Kensington home to his former partner and longtime friend Mary Austin. Though he would pursue romantic relationships with men, he considered Mary the love of his life and common-law wife. Garden Lodge is a stunning Neo-Georgian mansion which served as Mercury’s “country house in London”, a sanctuary from his high-intensity life on tour. Meticulously preserved for thirty years by Austin, this time capsule of music history is offered for sale for the first time since Mercury’s purchase in 1980, accepting offers in excess of £30m ($38m).
Garden Lodge’s centerpiece is a two-story drawing room, which once housed the grand piano on which Mercury composed his signature hit, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” French doors lead from the Japanese sitting room to the beautiful gardens. Every room of the house is infused with Mercury’s vibrant personality, with design choices made personally by the artist, including citrus-toned yellow walls in the intimate dining room, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors in the lavish dressing room that once housed his extensive collection of stage costumes. Surrounded by stone walls, the chance to own this unique cultural landmark is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
According to Austin, “This house has been the most glorious memory box, because it has such love and warmth in every room. Ever since Freddie and I stepped through the fabled green door, it has been a place of peace, a true artist’s house, and now is the time to entrust that sense of peace to the next person.”
Kensington is an upscale London neighborhood known for its stately Victorian homes. Nearby options for entertainment include the Natural History Museum, the Design Museum, Kensington Palace, and Kensington Gardens. The chic boutiques on Kensington High Street and star-studded concerts at Royal Albert Hall are both within walking distance. Popular with celebrities, the neighborhood’s notable residents include Eric Clapton, Stella McCartney, Rowan Atkinson, and Dido.
The listing is held by Knight Frank. Photos of Garden Lodge courtesy Knight Frank.
