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by Mick the Ram
The lavish London home of Queen’s frontman Freddie Mercury is on the market after his former lover, Mary Austin, decided to put it up for sale.
The flamboyant singer left the property to his now 72-years-old lifelong friend, in his will when he died aged just 45, from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS, back in 1991.
The mansion, in the heart of upscale Kensington and known as Garden Lodge, has been listed for offers in excess of £30 million (US$38 million) and unlike other properties in the neighbourhood, it is completely private.
The superstar performer had bought the house in 1985 for what now seems a modest £500,000, paid on the spot in cash after just one viewing and he lived there until his sad passing.
Following his death, the residence became a place of pilgrimage for his legions of fans, many of whom used to leave messages for him written on his front gate, until it was replaced several years later.
It was only six months ago that the contents of the property made a record breaking £40 million at auction, and now the home will follow and probably even better that figure, irrespective of the guide price.
Left to his “best friend”
Freddie Mercury was one quarter of the rock group Queen, along with Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, but essentially, it was he who made the band superstars.
At the time of his tragic death he had been sharing the plush address in the UK’s capital, with his boyfriend Jim Hutton and his ten beloved cats. However, he always regarded Mary Austin as his closest friend, and it was she who he granted ownership to in his final will.
Grandeur, history and personality
The mansion is nicely tucked away behind an 8-foot fence, in a really peaceful residential area. It is surrounded by a spectacular Japanese-inspired garden, complete with magnolia trees, topiary and water features.
The house boasts eight bedrooms, with the primary suite being lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrored doors. It has a double-height drawing room, complete with a wraparound gallery and attached bar; as well as Art-Deco designs, and a glorious terrace.
It also has of course, all the history attached to it, and the credibility of having hosted parties, crammed with the star’s celebrity associates.
Time is right
Ms Austin explained that she had considered selling the house prior to the auction last year at Sotheby’s, but was still not quite ready. More than 1,400 items fetched a staggering £39,435,000 and now she says: “the time has come.”
Continuing, she said the house was only ever hers in “name only” anyway. She confirmed that the singer had designed a lot of the property himself, so that his personality was reflected throughout.
“I had worked on the house with him and for him, but it will always be his. It was his dream, it was his vision,” she said.
Glorious memories
In a more official statement, she added: “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, 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.”
Had to be yellow!
The floor plans however, remain undisclosed to the public, with just two interior photos released, these include a section of the entrance and a dining room, both with traditional furniture and walls painted in Mercury’s favourite colour of yellow.
Performing again?
News of the sale comes hot on the heels of the revelation that the performer may be appearing once again… as a hologram. This is after the company which manages his back catalogue had confirmed that it has filed a trademark for his name in 3D and virtual reality.
That move means that Freddie Mercury could now be digitally recreated to perform on stage, just as Abba have done recently.
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