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Bowie's Childhood Home to Open as Museum

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, January 8th 2026 at 15:29 GMT by NME

Bromley, South London - January 8th, 2026 - The house where a young David Bowie absorbed the world and began to sculpt the persona that would redefine music and art is on the cusp of reopening its doors to the public. Located at 47 Broomhill Road in Bromley, this unassuming semi-detached home is far more than bricks and mortar; it's a crucial location in the origin story of a cultural icon. After a successful campaign to prevent its redevelopment, and years of painstaking restoration work, the house is slated to open as a community space and museum dedicated to Bowie's formative years in early 2025.

The period between 1969 and 1973, when Bowie resided at 47 Broomhill Road with his family, proved pivotal in his artistic evolution. Though he'd already begun exploring music, it was within these walls that the seeds of Ziggy Stardust and the kaleidoscopic world of Bowie's imagination truly began to sprout. The house wasn't merely a place to live; it was a crucible where a shy, intensely creative teenager experimented with identity, music, and performance.

The restoration isn't simply about preserving a building; it's about recreating an atmosphere. The team leading the project, a collaboration between the David Bowie Estate, the South East England Development Agency, and local community groups, understood that to truly connect visitors to Bowie's early life, they needed to evoke the feeling of the early 1970s. This means meticulous attention to detail - from wallpaper patterns and furniture styles, to the colours of the paint and the everyday objects that populated the house during Bowie's occupancy.

"We didn't want to create a sterile, 'museum piece' environment," explains project lead, Eleanor Vance. "Our goal was to make it feel lived in - to allow visitors to step back in time and imagine what it would have been like to be a teenager growing up here, soaking up the music and culture of the era, and developing that incredible artistic vision."

Exhibits within the restored home will focus heavily on Bowie's early musical influences. Researchers have delved into his record collection from that period, discovering a mix of artists that shaped his eclectic tastes, including the likes of The Who, The Beatles, and early progressive rock acts. Displays will showcase vinyl records, sheet music, and even handwritten lyrics believed to have been composed within the house.

However, the museum won't solely focus on music. Bowie was a voracious reader and a keen student of art and theatre. The restoration team have uncovered evidence of his early explorations of mime, performance art and costume design, which will form a key part of the exhibits. Expect to see examples of his sketches, mood boards, and early costume ideas - providing a fascinating insight into the development of his iconic stage personas.

The project has been driven significantly by local community involvement. Residents of Bromley have shared memories, photographs, and anecdotes about Bowie's time in the area, enriching the narrative and ensuring an authentic representation of his life. Volunteers have also been instrumental in the restoration process, painstakingly stripping wallpaper, repairing plasterwork, and sourcing period-appropriate furnishings.

The opening of the David Bowie Childhood Home promises to be more than just a museum visit. It's a celebration of creativity, a tribute to a unique artist, and a testament to the power of community. It's a place where fans can connect with the roots of a legend and gain a deeper understanding of the experiences that shaped one of the most influential figures in modern culture. The museum is expected to draw visitors from across the globe, providing a significant boost to the local economy and cementing Bromley's place in music history. Details regarding opening dates, ticket prices, and special events will be released in the coming months through the official David Bowie website and local media channels.