Rolf Harris' Former Mansion to Be Auctioned After Failing to Sell at £4m Asking Price
The former mansion of disgraced children's television presenter Rolf Harris is set to be auctioned off for a fraction of its original asking price, following a year on the market without attracting a buyer. The property, located on the banks of the River Thames in Bray, Berkshire, was listed for £4 million but has failed to secure a sale due to its association with Harris's criminal past and its deteriorating condition.
Property Falls into Disrepair Amid Stigma
Photographs reveal the mansion covered in moss with decaying walls, having fallen into disrepair during its time on the market. Local estate agent Brian Warren commented on the challenges, stating, "No one buying at that price would want to live in it because of the stigma and it's a mess, with all add-on extensions that Rolf Harris put on over the years." He estimated that a buyer would need to spend an additional £1.5 million on top of the purchase price to rebuild the property, particularly due to its riverside location, which increases construction costs.
Inheritance and Market Impact
The mansion was inherited by Harris's only child, Bindi, as part of his £16 million estate. Experts had previously warned that the £4 million asking price was too high, a prediction that has proven accurate. The property's notoriety has also impacted the local market, with neighbours reportedly putting their multimillion-pound riverside homes up for sale in the months following Harris's release from prison, leading to a plunge in property prices in the area.
Background on Harris and the Property
Rolf Harris died at the property on May 10, 2023, after a battle with neck cancer, having lived there for over six decades. He was convicted in June 2014 of 12 indecent assaults against four young girls, including assaults on one of Bindi's friends, with crimes occurring between 1968 and 1986, some within the Berkshire home. Harris rose to fame in his early 20s after moving to England, becoming an art student and gaining television work at the BBC, notably on the children's show Jigsaw.
Despite renovations in 2016 in preparation for his release from prison, the mansion's value has been severely affected by its history. Warren added, "It's got the stigma attached to it. Who's going to buy it? Because of what's attached to it, there's not many people that would go in there and refurb it would they?" The auction represents a significant reduction from the initial £4 million listing, highlighting the lasting impact of Harris's convictions on his former residence.
