Pink Floyd icon Dave Gilmour is embroiled in a severe property predicament as his opulent seafront mansion in Hove, East Sussex, has failed to attract a buyer for over three years. The rockstar, aged 79, initially listed the lavish residence for a staggering £15 million, but it has since become a financial albatross, with the asking price dramatically reduced multiple times.
A Costly Transformation and Community Backlash
The guitar legend invested millions into converting a derelict 19th-century Victorian bathhouse into a grand family home, only to see it branded a 'White Elephant' by disgruntled locals. Neighbours have criticised the project as an exercise in 'rock star hubris' and 'bad taste', arguing it has marred the historic seafront. They describe the situation as a case of 'schadenfreude' due to the couple's perceived 'arrogance' and 'lavish spending'.
Price Reductions and Local Resentment
Gilmour and his wife, writer Polly Samson, have been forced to slash the guide price to £8,950,000—a massive £6 million drop from the original valuation. Long-time resident Felicity Banks expressed outrage, stating, 'We lost part of our historic seafront heritage, and they just walked away. It’s disgusting and shows them to be arrogant and out-of-touch.' Another neighbour dubbed the mansion 'Polly’s Folly', insisting permission should never have been granted for its construction.
Controversial Development and Heritage Concerns
The seafront home sparked controversy from its inception, with residents and conservationists condemning the bulldozing of the 122-year-old Victorian baths as 'appalling and disrespectful'. The only surviving building from the famous King’s Esplanade, the Turkish bathhouse originally opened in 1894, providing slipper baths and steam rooms to the public. During World War II, it served as a makeshift hospital before falling into disrepair.
Luxury Features and Unrealistic Expectations
Gilmour purchased the property in 2015 for approximately £2.5 million, with plans to create a dream home. The completed mansion boasts five bedrooms, three bathrooms, an open-plan living area, a library, music room, gym, sauna, and smart-home features. Despite these amenities, neighbours argue the £8.95 million price tag remains unrealistic, citing its lack of privacy and parking as major drawbacks.
A Change of Heart and Market Challenges
Initially, the couple expressed enthusiasm for their new home, with Gilmour and Samson gushing about hosting 'memorable parties' and enjoying seaside living. However, just months after completion, they announced plans to sell, opting to remain at their country farm instead. With house prices tumbling, the asking price was first reduced to £10 million before the current listing of £8.95 million.
Property consultant Perry Press highlighted the couple's earlier praise for the main bedroom's sea views, but market conditions and local sentiment have turned the mansion into a 'millstone around their necks'. As Gilmour, worth an estimated £140 million, continues to champion environmental causes, this property saga underscores the pitfalls of high-profile real estate ventures in contentious locations.
