LONDON — The humble suburban bedroom where David Bowie first dreamed of stardom will soon welcome pilgrims to the very space where his legendary career was born. The Heritage of London Trust has acquired the musician’s childhood residence in Bromley, announcing plans to transform the historic property into a public museum by late 2027.
The 19th-century railway worker’s cottage, where Bowie lived from age 8 to 20, will undergo meticulous restoration to recreate its 1960s aesthetic. Central to the experience will be the modest 9-by-10-foot bedroom that Bowie once described as ‘my entire world’—the creative incubator where he immersed himself in books, music, and records that would shape his artistic evolution.
Supported by Bowie’s estate and a £500,000 charitable grant, the project will preserve the environment where the artist formerly known as David Jones transformed from a suburban schoolboy into the beginnings of an international icon. The house will eventually host public visits and creative workshops for children, serving as both memorial and inspiration.
The announcement coincides with the tenth anniversary of Bowie’s passing on January 10, 2016, just two days after releasing his final album ‘Blackstar.’ This new cultural destination complements the David Bowie Centre at the V&A Museum, which opened last year to house the artist’s 90,000-item archive.
Childhood friend George Underwood reflected: ‘We were dreamers in that house, listening to and playing music together. That David’s music would eventually save and change lives seems amazing when you consider these small beginnings.’