When Freddie Mercury skyrocketed to icon status as Queen’s lead vocalist, his life completely changed. Bohemian Rhapsody (the 2018 movie, that is) portrayed the music legend’s complex journey and genius talent, but it also depicted the lavish parties he threw at his London home. The public likely hasn’t heard much more about his cherished property until now.
His closest friend, Mary Austin, just listed his longtime residence and is seeking offers above £30 million, roughly $38 million. When Mercury passed away in 1991, she inherited the beautiful London house and its possessions. Sotheby’s sold many of its contents at auction last year, so it’s a true end of an era for Austin.
She reflects, “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. 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.”
Known as Garden Lodge, the Neo-Georgian manor sits in London’s posh Kensington neighborhood. After a thorough search for the right home, Mercury toured it in 1980 and decided to buy it on the spot. From there, it was all about making it his own. Fashioning it with his larger-than-life flair became another outlet for the musician’s famous creativity and soon it was his sanctuary.
Mercury worked with interior architect and designer Robin Moore Ede to renovate and tailor the 1907-built abode. He filled it with eclectic items and vibrant designs, all of which Austin cared for over the years. The dining room, for example, still wears his favorite shade of yellow and the intricate cornicing he designed. Global influences are also sprinkled throughout, with further jewel tones nodding to his early years spent in India and unexpected spaces like a Japanese-inspired sitting room.
The rare nature of this rockin’ listing, brought to market by Knight Frank, cannot be overstated. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime offering with a steep price to match.