When Jimi Hendrix moved into the attic flat of 23 Brook Street in 1966, he was thrilled to discover that George Frideric Handel had lived next door more than two centuries earlier. Handel had leased the brick-fronted townhouse from 1723 until his death in 1759. The unlikely neighbors, despite their different time periods, found creative and commercial success in Mayfair.
Until 2019, a shop occupied the lower floors of Handel’s house. However, after a meticulous £3mn restoration program, the entire house has reopened to the public. The newly renovated space includes exhibition areas that showcase recordings, portraits, photography, and engravings pertaining to both artists’ cultural legacies.
The domestic arrangements of both Hendrix and Handel were equally fascinating. While none of Handel’s original belongings remain, curators have sourced era-appropriate furnishings to recreate his living space. For Hendrix’s attic flat, original photographs provided the details for his eclectic furnishings, including a batik hanging, Persian carpets, a guitar, and his low bed where he conducted interviews. The only thing missing is the perpetual haze of cigarette smoke, much to the disappointment of some American visitors who were expecting an Airbnb experience.
London played a significant role in solidifying Hendrix’s growing reputation as a musician. He performed at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and captivated smaller audiences in clubs like the Bag O’Nails. Brook Street, where he resided with his girlfriend Kathy Etchingham until 1969, held a special place in his heart as it was “the first real home of my own”. Hendrix was fascinated by the connection to Handel and actively sought out his works, purchasing them from a record store in South Molton Street.
While Hendrix settled for takeaways from the Mr Love café located downstairs, Handel’s catering needs, as documented in an inventory after his death, were more elaborate. The kitchen, now recreated from scratch, was situated in the basement, following the typical layout of that period. A faux lead cistern, bearing Handel’s initials, provided fresh water for the cooks. The restoration team has meticulously recreated an 18th-century atmosphere throughout the house, using Georgian paint hues sourced from historic paint consultant Patrick Baty, period instruments, and reinstated panelling.
Born in 1685 in Halle, Germany, Handel also found great success in London. Some of his most important works were written while he resided at Brook Street, including “Messiah” and “Zadok the Priest”, which was composed for George II’s coronation and has since been performed at every coronation, including that of King Charles III last month. A portrait by Philippe Mercier, believed to have been painted in the house, depicts Handel at work, dressed in his signature red house coat with an ink quill hovering over sheet music.
According to news reports and visiting diarists, Handel was not only a talented musician but also an entrepreneur. The ground floor parlour served as a ticket office for concerts and subscriptions to fund new works. It also functioned as a rehearsal space, with arias and oratorios floating through the sash windows. Candlelit performances were held upstairs for friends and patrons, a tradition that still continues today. Live musical performances are regularly held at the house, ranging from Hendrix-inspired guitar riffs to the delicate melodies of a spinet, keeping alive the rich musical history of this London address.
Find out about our latest stories first — follow @FTProperty on Twitter or @ft_houseandhome on Instagram
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
