For David Bowie superfans, now is your opportunity to nose around the place the star called home before Ziggy Stardust was even a twinkle in his eye.
The star’s childhood home has gone on the market for £429,000, and if you play your cards right, there could be an chance to make a £107,000 profit. David Robert Jones, was six years old when the future chameleon of rock lived in Bromley with his family, back when the London suburb was still part of Kent.
The modest two-bedroom house is nothing special from the outside. It has a spacious garden, light rooms and is well-located near Bickley station. But the magic and money lies in its history. “This house has been in my family for a long period of time,” the current owner, Victoria Bulford, told House Beautiful.
Indeed, her grandparents remember meeting Bowie as a young child, watching him play with a stick in the garden as the adults toured the house. “When my grandparents went to view the property many moons ago, they met with Mr and Mrs Jones of 106 Canon Road and took along their six-year-old son – my Dad – who remembers clearly playing in the backyard with David Bowie whilst the adults were inside.
The next owner will be able to apply for an iconic commemorative blue plaque to commemorate Bowie’s old family home, adding significant value to the property. The next owner will be able to do this in the next ten years, a small time to wait to declare ownership on this slice of British history.
English Heritage’s criteria for a blue plaque is that at least 20 years must have passed since a candidate’s death – which will apply from 10 January 2036. A blue plaque can add up to 25% value to a home, according to the Telegraph, meaning if you bide your time this could be sold for over £536,000 in a decade.
You can now have a bath where Bowie once slept as a child. “I do know that David Bowie’s childhood bedroom was what is now the upstairs bathroom,” Victoria added. “We do still have the original legal documents, which were signed by both my grandfather and David Bowie’s father, Mr Jones, which I will forward onto the new owners of 106 Canon Road.”
The garden Bowie played in as a child.
The estate agent, Leaders, said the Victorian property “exudes a sense of peace and tranquillity, making it the perfect place to call home.” The house, which is on the whole in good condition, offers two reception areas, a modern fitted kitchen and two double bedrooms as well as a huge four piece en-suite bathroom. The chain free property also has a spacious paved garden.
The legendary artist died at 69 in 2016 following a secret 18-month battle with cancer. While he had questioned organised religion throughout his career, according to close friends, it had been a great source of comfort and strength towards the end of his life.
He reportedly told those close to him, “you don’t get any atheists on the battlefield” in the months before his death. His final album Blackstar, which was released to coincide with his 69th birthday last week, was his “parting gift” to the world and contains many references to religion.
A 25% profit could be made on the house within ten years
The house is a short journey away from Bickley station
