Homes of Famous Musicians

Treasures for a six-string connoisseur are on offer at Christie’s forthcoming David Gilmour Guitar Collection sale in New York on June 20. The collection, 120 instruments owned by the legendary Pink Floyd singer-songwriter, includes “The Black Strat,” the iconic 1969 Fender Stratocaster that was Gilmour’s main performance and recording guitar, played on The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, and The Wall. It is estimated to fetch $100,000-150,000. The collection also includes dozens of other vintage Fenders—Strats, Esquires, Broadcasters, and Telecasters—along with a half-dozen gorgeous C.F. Martin & Co. acoustic guitars (and a banjo!), a 1933 Dobro resonator, and a mind-boggling array of classic Gibson, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker guitars.

Inspired by this sale, Luxury Defined offers a collection of homes of an extraordinary musical provenance: Consider St Ann’s Court in Surrey, England, the former estate and music studio of Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera, co-producer of Gilmour’s On an Island album. Or perhaps a riverfront retreat in Georgia designed by Kerry Livgren, founding member of 1970s supergroup Kansas; or a medieval château once owned by French composer Léo Ferré; or two tropical oceanfront villas whose former guests include Elvis Presley and the Beatles. And all these magnificent homes come with plenty of space to store one’s guitars.

St Ann’s Court in Surrey, England

St Ann’s Court is a unique and iconic modern country estate in Surrey, formerly owned by Roxy Music’s lead guitarist and record-producer Phil Manzanera. Encompassing eight acres of spectacularly lush grounds, the property has its origins in the 18th century, but is a 1930s modernist masterpiece at its heart. Offering just under 12,000 square feet of interior space across 34 rooms, the residence comprises two contrasting buildings. The primary home is the Grade II*-listed, circular, three-story Round House, designed by renowned architect Sir Raymond McGrath—a devotee of the modernist movement’s greatest pioneer, Le Corbusier. The Coach House, once part of the estate’s original 18th-century manor home, was converted by Manzanera into a world-class music studio in the 1980s. The grounds of St Ann’s Court are a separate delight with a mixture of contemporary and traditional landscapes, featuring seven distinct gardens, woodland, and five ponds. It is also well suited for equestrian pursuits with ample room for stable blocks.

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Richard Harris’s Estate in Paradise Island, Bahamas

Irish acting legend Richard Harris’s estate, Kilkee House, is set on 2.5 sea-to-sea acres between a private beach and a deepwater harbor in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Harris hosted many colorful parties over the years, inviting a who’s who of music, stage, and screen stars, including the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Peter O’Toole, Errol Flynn, Pierce Brosnan, and Nicolas Cage. The stately colonial-style beach house features a panelled library, living rooms, gym, and several loggias for entertaining. The poolside guest cottage has a private terrace that served as Harris’s rehearsal space. Furthering the allure is a lagoon-style pool, manicured lawn, perfect for parties or as a helicopter landing, and a boat dock with several slips and a main berth, which can accommodate a 130-foot yacht.

Kerry Livgren’s Riverfront Retreat in Sandy Springs, Georgia

Rivergate, a unique waterfront estate on the Chattahoochee River, just outside Atlanta, was built in 1979 for Kerry Livgren. Founding member, primary songwriter, lead guitarist, and keyboard player of 1970s supergroup Kansas, Livgren penned the iconic American classic rock hits Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind. The modernist home features three levels of luxurious living and entertaining areas. The main level offers a lavish master suite, an open-concept living room, and gourmet kitchen. The upper floor houses two private suites, while the light-filled lower level has a bar, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The living spaces open to a stunning, resort-inspired pool terrace surrounded by private woods leading to a sundeck at the river’s edge.

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Léo Ferré’s French Château in Lot, France

This magnificent domaine in Lot, France, was formerly owned by famed French singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and poet Léo Ferré, whose hits include Avec le temps, C’est extra, and Paris canaille. The centerpiece of 165-acre estate is a fully restored medieval château with several reception rooms, 17 bedrooms, and 14 bathrooms. Surrounding the home are several ancillary buildings, including a renovated farm and barn, which once served as Léo Ferré’s printing works; a guardian’s house; winemaking shed; and a dovecote. The luxurious 21st-century amenities include a pool, tennis court, fitness center, and summer kitchen. The grounds consist of meadows, woodland, and a hobby vineyard planted with merlot vines, producing approximately 4,000 bottles per year.

Sullivan Estate in Oahu, Hawaii

The Sullivan Estate in Oahu, Hawaii, has been a haven for such musical royalty as the U2 lead singer, Bono; American singer-songwriter Lionel Ritchie; and the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. The spectacular ocean-view compound is the personal residence and spa retreat of biochemist Dr. Jurgen Klein, a world leader in high-end wellness therapies and the founder of skin-care brands Jurlique and JK7. The collection of structures overlooks 15 miles of the North Shore of Oahu from five picturesque acres. From the Pupukea plateau, the lush grounds cascade down towards the sea-level plains below, with incredible views taking in Waimea Bay and the mountain ranges of West Oahu. Walkways and pools connect the serene accommodations to the parklike grounds, which offer easy access to the surf breaks known as the seven-mile miracle.

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Germaine Tailleferre’s Villa in Côte d’Azur, France

The idyllic five-bedroom residence on the French Riviera has a storied past. At the turn of the 20th century, Villa Grasse was owned by American Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt, whose guests often included Degas and Renoir. In the 1940s, it was purchased by Germaine Tailleferre. The renowned French harpist, composer, and sole member of the post-World War I group of French composers known as Les Six wrote everything from film scores to classical concertos and ballets.  A grand terrace, enhanced by a pool as well as olive trees and flowering plants, provides stunning views of the Côte d’Azur and the Mediterranean Sea beyond. The outdoor kitchen allows residents to take full advantage of the area’s sublime weather and the dramatic estate’s beautiful landscaping.