“A Sanctuary of Stardust: Freddie Mercury’s Beloved Garden Lodge in Kensington Listed for £30 Million as Mary Austin Bids Farewell to a Legend’s Last Home”
In the heart of London’s exclusive Kensington district stands a home that is more than bricks and mortar — it is a monument to one of the greatest musical icons of the 20th century. Garden Lodge, the serene residence once owned by Freddie Mercury, the incomparable frontman of Queen, has officially been placed on the market for a staggering £30 million. For fans and collectors alike, this is not merely a real estate listing — it is the offering of a sacred space where creativity, love, and legacy were interwoven.
The residence, hidden behind towering Edwardian brick walls and its now-famous green door (auctioned for £412,750 in 2023), was Mercury’s chosen refuge. It was here that he sought quietude from the glare of stardom, far from the relentless press and prying eyes that followed him throughout his dazzling career. With koi ponds, magnolia trees, and a Kyoto-inspired garden, the estate exudes the kind of peace Mercury yearned for during his final years. Within its walls, music was created, dreams were nurtured, and unforgettable memories were made.
Mary Austin, Freddie’s dearest friend, confidante, and the woman he often called his “common-law wife,” has lived in Garden Lodge for over three decades. Speaking to Bloomberg, Mary recounted the moment they first encountered the home together. “It was a summer day. Children were playing in the garden, and Freddie stood there quietly, just taking it in. Then he turned to me and said, ‘Tell them to take it off the market. I’ll give them the asking price now.’” That impulsive moment marked the beginning of Mercury’s most personal and private chapter.
After Freddie’s death in 1991, he left Garden Lodge to Mary, a testament to the profound trust and affection he held for her. Yet, she confesses, living there without him was not easy. “I questioned whether it was healthy to stay, especially in the early years,” she reflected. “But over time, I realized this was his dream, his vision. I had worked on the house with him and for him. It will always be his.”
Now aged 72, Mary feels ready to turn the page. The decision to sell comes on the heels of the record-breaking Sotheby’s auction of Mercury’s possessions in 2023, which raised more than $50 million. Proceeds went to causes close to Freddie’s heart: the Mercury Phoenix Trust and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. For Mary, the sale marks another step in preserving his legacy — responsibly, respectfully, and with purpose.
The home itself remains largely unmodernised — a rare quality in the ultra-updated world of luxury real estate. Knight Frank, the estate agents managing the sale, have called it “a cultural landmark,” incomparable to other Kensington properties, which typically sell for around £18 million. With eight bedrooms, opulent period details, and a studio drawing room that once housed Freddie’s Yamaha baby grand piano (which sold for £1.7 million), the house captures Mercury’s distinctive flair in every corner.
Perhaps most moving are the intimate touches left behind: citrus-yellow walls that reflect Freddie’s zest for life, a dining room that he personally painted when decorators failed to match his artistic vision, and mirrored dressing rooms lined with art deco elegance. His initials are still etched in marble in the en suite bathroom. It was here, amid theatrical parties and quiet mornings alike, that Freddie lived his fullest and final moments.
Mary Austin acknowledges the sale is deeply emotional. “The last thing you want is for someone to exploit it or tear it down. This house is unique. It has beauty, purpose, and history — it did for Freddie, and I hope it will for someone else.” Her wish is for the home to pass to someone who understands its value — not just in pounds, but in meaning.
As she prepares to step away from the sanctuary they once built together, Mary finds strength in the memories and in Freddie’s enduring spirit. “Once you’ve sold, you’ve sold,” she says with quiet resolve. “You can’t hold on to the past forever. I’ll leave with it very warm in my heart.”
For those who cherished Freddie Mercury as more than a rockstar — as a symbol of authenticity, artistry, and audacity — Garden Lodge remains a shrine. Now, it awaits the next chapter in its story.