David Bowie's Childhood Home Set To Open as Public Exhibit

Much is known about rock and roll super star David Bowie, but very few have had the opportunity to tour his childhood home. Thanks to Geoffrey Marsh, that will soon be possible.

The home, located at 4 Plaistow Grove, Bromley, was recently purchased by the Heritage of London Trust after being owned for nearly fifty years. Marsh, who has previously curated a Bowie exhibit for the London’s V&A Museum, was hired by the Trust to restore the home to its 1960s glory. The home will undergo a series of projects to achieve the authentic look. Funnily enough, one of those important tasks is removing the toilet.

Restoring a home this old will take time and caution, as there may be remaining evidence of original detailing underneath modern restorations brought on by the most recent owners. Marsh says there will be an extensive investigation into the home before any stripping begins.

One of the most important rooms in the house is none other than Bowie’s childhood bedroom, which he lived in from 1955 to 1968. This room will be rich with original artifacts when it opens for public viewing. In 1990, Bowie described his bedroom as a creative sanctuary.

“I spent so much time in my bedroom. It really was my entire world. I had books up there, my music up there, my record player. Going from my world upstairs out on to the street, I had to pass through this no-man’s-land of the living room,” said Bowie.

The exhibit will provide guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view never-before-seen archival items, offering an exclusive look into the place Bowie first nurtured his creativity. Marsh hopes the restoration will transform the home into an immersive experience that will inspire young minds.

Once the home opens as a public exhibit, the house will host creative and skills workshops for young aspiring artists. Marsh explained to the Guardian that the goal of the exhibit is much larger than just a museum.

“The music business can be particularly baffling if you’re a teenager, so part of the project is to work with young people and show them the drivers that helped David succeed, and which can hopefully help them succeed. It’s a platform for the future,” said Marsh.

While an exact opening date is yet to be set, the Trust estimates that the home will be open to the public in late 2027.

Related: David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ Remains One of His Most Powerful Works 10 Years Later