Throughout an extraordinary lifetime, David Bowie was constantly on the move. Even when he had a primary residence, he was jet-setting around the world or seeking inspiration in different places. He even had a yacht, for crying out loud! Behind the scenes of his well-known properties were countless homes and apartments in various countries where he spent time with friends or rented out. Let’s take a closer look at some of the iconic musician’s most noteworthy properties.

Bowie’s Birthplace, 40 Stansfield Road, London

David Bowie, originally born as David Jones, entered the world on January 8, 1947, in a modest home in Brixton, South London, England. He lived in this home until the age of six, at which point his family relocated to Bromley, Kent. Interestingly, there is no plaque to commemorate the significance of the house, but fans can pay a visit to a striking mural of Bowie just eight minutes away on foot. Records show that the home was last sold in 2015 for approximately $1.25 million, with the previous owner using it as a rental property prior to that.

Haddon Hall, Beckenham, England

During pivotal moments in his life, Bowie lived in a flat at Haddon Hall. It was here that his then wife, Angie Barnett, sewed his first ever Ziggy Stardust costume, and their son Duncan Jones (then Zowie) was born. According to historical accounts, the couple paid around $8.85 a week for a flat on the ground floor of the Victorian villa between October 1969 and May 1972. While the building has since been demolished, the significance of Haddon Hall in Bowie’s life is forever immortalised in the book “Haddon Hall: When David Invented Bowie” by Néjib.

Oakley Street, London

Following their time at Haddon Hall, the Bowie family briefly resided in actor Diana Rigg’s apartment. However, they eventually relocated to 89 Oakley Street in London’s Chelsea neighbourhood, where they lived in a four-story home from 1973 to 1976. During their time there, they made several personal touches to the property, the most dramatic of which was painting the entire interior black in 1974. Both Oscar Wilde and Bob Marley have also lived on the same block of Oakley Street at different times.

Blonay, Switzerland

In 1976, Bowie and his family made the move to Switzerland. According to rumours, this relocation was primarily for tax breaks, but regardless, their main residence was in a small Swiss village. Bowie also spent a significant amount of time in Berlin during this period, living in an apartment at Hauptstrasse 155. It is uncertain whether he ever owned property there. Bowie and Barnett divorced in 1980, but Bowie continued to live in the Blonay house until 1982.

Chateau du Signal, Lausanne, Switzerland

After parting ways with the Blonay home, Bowie purchased the Chateau du Signal, a grand 20-room home built in 1900 for a Russian prince. Around the same time, he also owned a property in Sydney, Australia. Bowie married Iman in 1992 at a ceremony in Lausanne’s town hall. However, it appears that the couple didn’t spend much time living in Lausanne together, and Bowie held onto the property until 2000.

The Britannia Bay House, Mustique Island, Grenadines

The Britannia Bay House, also known as the Mandalay house, was built for Bowie in 1989 by architect Arne Hasselqvist and designer Robert Litwiller. This property was later featured in the September 1992 issue of AD, where Bowie himself described his vision for the house. He spent several weeks at the home over Christmas and also visited during the summertime. Bowie sold the property in 1995 for $5 million.

Essex House, New York City

From the early ‘90s until his passing, Bowie called New York City his home. Between 1992 and 2002, Bowie and Iman resided in a condo in Essex House, a renowned residential hotel with views of Central Park. Despite being significantly smaller than his estate in Switzerland, the residence offered an array of luxurious amenities. The property was most recently sold in 2021 for $6 million.

285 Lafayette Street, New York City

In 1999, Bowie and Iman acquired another apartment in New York City, this time a SoHo pad for $3.81 million. The four-bedroom apartment measures 5,000 square feet, with an additional 1,000 square feet of outdoor space across three terraces. This move possibly came about due to the impending arrival of their first child together in 2000, as the SoHo home offered much more space for the growing family.

Upstate Home, Woodstock, New York

Bowie and Iman’s Woodstock home has been shrouded in mystery for quite some time. Very little is known about its exact location, and even today it remains somewhat of a secret. According to a 2021 Vogue profile of Iman, Bowie became interested in Woodstock in 2002 after recording his album “Heathen” at Allaire Studios nearby. The couple bought the 50-acre property in 2011 for its seclusion, with the intent of making it their forever home. Iman continues to own the property to this day.

As we delve into the varied abodes of David Bowie, we catch a glimpse of the life led by this legendary musician. From his humble beginnings in South London to his luxurious properties across the world, each home offered a unique setting for the star to leave his mark. Through his homes, Bowie’s colourful and enigmatic personality was truly reflected.