Freddie Mercury’s London House for Sale

Following an auction of the English rock band Queen’s memorabilia last year, now the house of its front man and primary songwriter Freddie Mercury, has gone on sale. Yes, the coveted property has been affixed with a price tag of 38 million USD, or around 30 million Pound Sterling. The flamboyant performer who had founded the band in 1970 and consolidated its fame with such hits as Killer Queen, Under Pressure and the magnum opus masterpiece Bohemian Rhapsody, moved into the upscale Kensington property in 1980. Redecorating 'Garden Lodge' to match his unconventional lifestyle and to house his eclectic collection of showpieces, Mercury lived in this home-sweet-home till his death in 1991.

Having been diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, the vocalist who boasted a four-octave baritone, died four years later due to mounting complications from the disease. He had publicly announced his terminal illness just a day before his demise, at which time he had already made arrangements to bequeath the Lodge to his close friend and one-time betrothed Mary Austin. The proud inheritor of the property (and its many contents) kept the place in pristine condition for the 30-plus years since. In a recent statement, Austin said the house had been “the most glorious memory box because it had such love and warmth in every room.”

Mercury had engaged interior decorators to design the domicile in order to reflect his personality. Hence, he had the dining room painted in his favourite hue of bright yellow while the adjacent Japanese room leads out into an oriental-themed garden that is replete with magnolia trees and stylish aqueous touches. Meanwhile, the master bedroom comprises mirrored walls and cupboards, which once accommodated Mercury’s many flashy outfits. 

But the most captivating feature of the property is the expansive drawing room which once included a library, bar and grand piano – all under a high ceiling. Now virtually devoid of its contents post-auction, Garden Lodge is going to be quite the space to fill for the lucky new owner. Whoever the buyer is, one hopes that he or she won’t mind sharing the place with Mercury’s ghost! It just might want to break free.