It looks like a fairly ordinary suburban London home.
But this Putney house has a secret showbusiness history – it was the birthplace of some of the most beloved children’s TV characters ever to grace our screens.
During the 1970s the house was owned by puppetry pioneer Jim Henson, and he used it to create characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo, who enjoyed prime time success right through until 1981.
After the Muppet Show was commissioned by British television, Henson moved to Hampstead and had a home and studio on Downshire Hill.
That house is marked by a blue plaque but this Putney address’s connection to the puppeteer, who also created Fraggle Rock and the film Labyrinth starring David Bowie.
The property is clad with green Victorian metro tiles having previously been an off licence, known as The Scarlet Lancet.
Now the circa 1,500 sq ft three-bedroom property is on sale with RiverHomes, priced at £1.25m.
Its current owner is John Kingdon, 59, who bought the property some 15 years ago as a base for his IT company.
He and his family lived a few streets away from the property, which is in Putney.
“I think that it was originally a house before becoming an off licence,” said Kingdon.
“Jim Henson had it in the 1970s and he used it as an office and workshop. When I saw it I thought it was a little run down but a cool space to work from, with two spiral staircases.”
During the pandemic the house was returned to its original use when Kingdon decided to turn it back into a three bedroom home.
“My company did not need it but we did not want to sell it,” he explained.
He redesigned the property with an open plan kitchen and living room and a bedroom on the ground floor, and two bedrooms, accessed by a glass brick walled staircase above. There is also a small courtyard garden.
Kingdon and his family – artist wife Nathalie, son Max, now 26, and daughter Margaux, 17 – lived in the house for around a year while their own property was being renovated.
But he has now decided it is time to sell up. “I am looking at retirement and it has become redundant,” he explained.
