David Bowie came from humble beginnings in his south London home, where he grew up with his parents, Haywood and Margaret, and his older half-brother, Terry. During his childhood, the musician lived at 4 Plaistow Grove, Bromley, from 1955 to 1967 — the exact place where he wrote many of his songs, including his breakthrough hit, “Space Oddity.”
Now — his devoted fans and those who hope to follow in his footsteps will have the opportunity to experience the Bowie household for the first time.
Ahead of his 10th death anniversary, the Heritage of London Trust announced they acquired Bowie’s family home and will be restoring it to resemble the exact details of when the “Life on Mars?” singer was 16 years old in 1963. Geoffrey Marsh, who co-curated the V&A’s David Bowie exhibition in 2013, will lead the project and aim to bring the full Ziggy Stardust experience to life.
When Will David Bowie’s London Home Open to the Public?
GettyFans will be able to walk through the restored home by the end of 2027, when it will officially be opened to the public. Marsh hopes that Bowie’s fans will be able to step into the shoes of one of music’s most iconic figures to see just how far the rock legend came and what might have inspired him to be one of the greatest.
Marsh explained to the Guardian how the project is intended to help others succeed in the music business by immersing themselves in the very same surroundings where Bowie transformed from a child into a star.
The main attraction of the restoration will be Bowie’s 9 ft x 10 ft bedroom, where he spent most of his time manifesting his creative genius.
Creative Workshops to be Hosted in David Bowie’s Childhood Home
GettyWhen asked if Bowie was happy living at his childhood home, Marsh responded by detailing how important Bowie’s bedroom was to him. “He used to say he would retreat to his bedroom to get away from the living room. And I think that’s part of why he got this huge ambition — sitting in his bedroom, often alone,” Marsh told the outlet. “His school friends would often ask him out and he’d say: ‘No, I’m going to stay at home and think, and work.’”
Once the home is ready to open to the public, there will be creative and skills workshops hosted for those who are inspired by the late “Starman” artist.
There will also be archival items from Bowie’s life that have never been seen. One of which includes Bowie’s copies of the Observer’s books on music and architecture. Marsh explained to the Guardian how “magical” Bowie’s handwritten notes in the copies are — and now his fans will see, for the first time, some of the deepest parts of his life.
