Almost 20 years ago, ‘Mr Bean’ star Rowan Atkinson invested a whopping GBP 2.6 million into a 1930s home located in Ipsden, Oxfordshire. However, the actor planned to demolish the property to start work on his futuristic glass mansion spanning 16 acres of land. The old property, known as the Handsmooth House, had been there for decades before Atkinson took ownership for his dream project. However, while building his new home, the veteran icon faced many issues. Here is a look at how it took 16 years to get Atkinson’s home off the ground and ready for him to move in.
Rowan Atkinson bought a 1930s property with 16 acres of land for a glass mansion
At the time, Atkinson had bought the property with his now ex-wife, Sunetra Sastry, with whom he filed for divorce in 2015. Daily Express reported that the actor wanted to make changes to the initial property, even though it was well equipped and had its own private garage space, among other amenities. The star still had the main house torn down to install his 8,000-square-foot home made from glass and metal.
The home that took 16 years to build
He took the help of American architect Richard Meier, who created Atkinson’s vision into a reality, and further installed a guest pavilion and a tennis court on the 16 acres of land along with the large main house. Although he had bought the property for GBP 2.6 million, over the years he invested around GBP 5 million to get the entire thing made according to his taste. Renovations were extensive, and the house faced many issues over the years, including permission problems and unhappy neighbours. This all affected the process, and the home took around 16 years to complete.
Rowan Atkinson stood by his idea and argued in front of the Oxfordshire council that his home did not cause any problems to the neighbourhood. (YouTube)
Rowan Atkinson’s neighbours were not happy with the homeHowever, the process was not easy, and the actor’s neighbours in the area were not at all happy with his choices. The Oxford Mail reported at the time that they believed the home did not suit the aesthetics of the area. They called it a “space-age petrol station” and even applied for his application for the home to be rejected by the South Oxfordshire Council. In another report shared online by the BBC, during a planning meeting, Atkinson admitted that the house did not sit well with the backdrop of the area and instead stood out; however, he stated that this reason was not enough to block his project. His consultant also stated at the time, “The home will add to our architectural heritage rather than parody it.” The locals actively opposed the building, with one local stating, “Money and fame have been used to bulldoze their way through the planning process.” The decision on this monstrosity is outrageous and sets a very dangerous precedent. A few neighbours, according to the outlets, also wrote notes supporting the actor and found no issues with the structure. After much contemplation, the council later granted his request to build his glass mansion.In 2016, the star properly started construction of his home, with photos shared online by The Mirror showing the building mid-construction in the area. By 2022, the renovations were completed, and the actor officially came back home and moved back in with his long-time partner, actress Louise Ford, and their daughter.The property is now covered in white paint, features its own tennis court, private garage area, and a serene Japanese garden area that the Atkinson family often spends their time in.