No, this isn’t just a dream. The real-life residence of the late music icon Freddie Mercury is now on the market.
Garden Lodge, situated in the prestigious Kensington neighborhood of London, has been listed for £30 million (approximately US$38 million). After the passing of the former Queen frontman in 1991 at the age of 45 due to bronchial pneumonia, the Neo-Georgian-style estate and all its contents were bequeathed to his close friend and former fiancée, Mary Austin. Austin has resided in and cared for the property full-time for nearly 30 years but is now prepared to part ways with the cherished home.
In a statement to the press, Austin expressed, “This house has been the most glorious memory box, because it has such love and warmth in every room. It has been a joy to live in, and I have many wonderful memories here. Now that it is empty, I’m transported back to the first time we viewed it.”
The majestic brick residence, originally constructed in 1907 by architect Ernest Marshall for the artist couple Cecil Rea and Constance Halford, was once owned by Peter Wilson, a former chairman of Sotheby’s. According to Knight Frank, the estate agency handling the sale, Mercury acquired the property on the spot in 1980 and subsequently enlisted interior architect and designer Robin Moore Ede to overhaul the grand abode.
Internally, the residence boasts exquisite marble accents, opulent wood flooring, and vibrant jewel tones throughout. Particularly striking is the citrusy yellow hue adorning the walls of the dining room, reportedly the singer’s favorite color. Among the notable features is the double-height drawing room, where Mercury housed the grand piano famously used in composing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Additionally, the British singer contributed to the design of the garden, characterized by majestic magnolia trees and meticulously sculpted plantings.
“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,” remarked Austin.
Paddy Dring, global head of prime sales and joint head of Knight Frank’s Private Office, emphasized, “The sale of Garden Lodge presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a significant property combined with a piece of cultural history, the beloved home of an icon.” Dring further noted, “Having been carefully preserved with love and respect over the last three decades, we expect that the exceptional provenance of the property will be incredibly alluring to buyers across the world.”
Last year, Austin auctioned off a collection of Mercury’s possessions at Sotheby’s, which sparked intense bidding. Given the history and significance of Mercury’s belongings, potential buyers may want to act swiftly.
