Freddy Mercury's house

Garden Lodge, located at Logan Place in the Kensington district of London, was the final home of Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen. Built between 1908 and 1909 by architect Ernest William Marshall, this neo-Georgian style house was initially inhabited by the painter Cecil Rea and his wife, the sculptor Constance Halford. Among the various owners was Peter Wilson, chairman of the auction house Sotheby’s, until Mercury purchased it in 1980 for £500,000 in cash. Garden Lodge is a spacious residence, surrounded by an eight-foot high wall that hides a well-kept garden. The property included eight bedrooms, a studio wing with a large bay window, and extensive landscaped grounds. After the purchase, Freddie Mercury tastefully decorated the house, reflecting his love for art and culture. Each room in the house housed unique and valuable pieces, such as 19th-century French furniture, Tiffany lamps, English gilt mirrors, and prints by famous artists like Matisse and Chagall. Mercury lived in Garden Lodge from 1985 until his death in 1991, and the house became a peaceful retreat away from the spotlight. Here, the singer found peace and inspiration, surrounded by objects he loved that reflected his lively and extravagant personality. After his death, the property passed to Mary Austin, his trusted friend and confidante, who continued to care for the house while preserving the memory of Freddie. The interior of Garden Lodge was a kaleidoscope of styles and influences, with Freddie transforming every corner into a testament to his artistic spirit. The living room, with its yellow walls, Mercury’s favorite color, housed Victorian paintings and theatrical designs by Erté. The dining room was often the scene of sumptuous banquets, with crystal glasses and silverware sparkling under the light of Japanese lamps. In his collection, Freddie also owned valuable pieces such as a French Louis XV-style commode and watercolors by William Russell Flint. One of the most personal spaces in the house was Mercury’s music studio, where his beloved Yamaha piano and a Maelzel metronome were located. Here, Freddie composed and rehearsed many of the songs that would define Queen’s career. Next to the piano, a bookshelf filled with books and bronze models by Irena Sedlecká testified to his love for reading and art. The exterior wall of Garden Lodge has become a place of pilgrimage for fans from around the world, who leave graffiti and messages of love and remembrance for the singer. Although in recent years Mary Austin has removed many of these tributes to preserve the privacy of the residence, Freddie Mercury’s legacy continues to live on through the walls of this historic home.