The mansion linked to convicted sex offender Rolf Harris failed to sell at auction as bids fell short of expectations. The luxury riverside property in Bray, Berkshire, initially priced at £1.95 million, only received bids up to £1.54 million during the online auction by BTG Eddisons. This figure was significantly below the original asking price of £4 million when it was first listed in April last year.
Auctioneer Andrew Parker commenced the bidding at £1.95 million, later reducing it by £500,000 to stimulate interest. Bids started at £1.4 million and increased in £10,000 increments, with the reserve price reported to be £1.75 million.
Photos of the property revealed the need for renovation as it had fallen into disrepair since Harris’s passing almost three years ago. The house, inherited by Harris’s daughter Bindi, 61, from his £16 million estate, was described in the auction listing as requiring modernization and potentially offering redevelopment opportunities, subject to planning permissions.
The auctioneer highlighted the property’s features, including ample parking, lawned gardens, a large carport, multiple bedrooms, a spacious living/dining room, a master bedroom with river views, and a total area of 6440 sqft. The house is situated near the picturesque village of Bray, known for its dining options and proximity to various amenities.
Local estate agent Brian Warren assessed the property’s value at half of its original listing due to the associated stigma and estimated £1.5 million in rebuilding costs. Harris, once a prominent TV personality, faced a downfall after being convicted of historic sexual offenses in 2014, leading to his imprisonment.
The mansion, spanning 6,440 square feet with four bedrooms, a large living area, and additional studio spaces, was described as a substantial detached residence with direct access to the River Thames. Renovation work was conducted in 2016 in anticipation of Harris’s release from prison, including patio replacement and garden refurbishment. Harris, diagnosed with cancer in 2022, passed away at the property in 2023, followed by his wife Alwen in 2024.
