Goodbye Peachtree Road: Christie's curates iconic sale of objects from Sir Elton John's former Atlanta home

Way back in 1998, in an interview with AJC (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution), John had said that it was at Atlanta that he felt at home. 

The city of Atlanta played a crucial role in John’s life, becoming the hub he would return to throughout his numerous tours within the United States.

He solidified this connection to Atlanta in 1992 when he acquired the condominium in Park Place, on Peachtree Road.

His unexpected choice of Atlanta as a residence was driven by personal reasons.

After becoming sober in 1990, he found solace and support in the warm community and recovery facilities of the city, such as the Triangle Club, which played a critical part in his recovery.

"People always ask me, 'Why do you have a place in Atlanta?' he had said in the interview, ‘It's because people here have always been that nice to me. ... I've always been welcomed. I feel at home."

Over the years, Elton John assembled a distinctive collection of works of art, objects and memorabilia, many of them crafted specifically for his home on Peachtree Road.

He had a deep passion for photographs, which he began collecting avidly in the 1990s.

Creating a gallery-like atmosphere, he decorated the walls of his Atlanta residence with pieces by pioneering artists, such as Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe, Peter Beard, Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon and others.

In July last year, 76-year old John bid goodbye to his touring shows after the final performance in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour, which began in 2018; scheduled to conclude in 2021, it stretched over five years with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a postponement. 

According to media reports, John, together with husband and manager David Furnish, sold their 13,000-plus-square-foot Atlanta residence for more than $7.2 million, last year.

The Christie's Sale

Beginning with an evening sale on Wednesday, February 21, the series titled 'The Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road' will consist of 8 sales in total, both live and online.

According to Tash Perrin, Deputy Chairman, Christie’s Americas, this collection not only showcases a diverse array of remarkable objects that encapsulate John's unique life, work, and art but also provides their clients with a glimpse into the profound impact that the city of Atlanta had on the singer.

“We take immense pride in presenting this multi-category sale, featuring a refined assortment of photographs, artworks, fashion, and costumes — a testament to a man's eclectic vision, artistry, and impeccable taste,” said Perrin.

Also included in the collection are highly intimate artworks crafted personally for Elton John and his husband David Furnish.

Among them is Damien Hirst's "Your Song" signed and inscribed 'xxx for Elton + David love Damien Thank You,' with an estimated value of $350,000-450,000; as well as a portrait of Elton John by Julian Schnabel, estimated to be worth $200,000-300,000.

The sale also highlights a selection of fashion pieces from the iconic performer's dazzling stage wardrobe, including a noteworthy Ivory and Gold Ensemble designed by Annie Reavey in 1971.

This ensemble (estimated at $8,000 to $12,000) holds historical significance as one of the initial sets of stage attire crafted exclusively for Elton John.

A testament to Elton John’s eclectic tastes, his Atlanta apartment featured elaborate Versace upholstery—a nod to John's longstanding friendship with the Versace family.

Included in the sale is a group of Versace items including a selection of vintage Gianni Versace shirts estimated at $4,000-6,000, in addition to tableware and home décor.

The condo served as a personal sanctuary with a grand piano (estimated $30,000-50,000) , art glass collections, antiques, and artifacts from his global travels.

There will be live day sales on February 22 featuring ‘Important Photographs’, and on February 23, ‘Peachtree Road’, featuring decorative arts and interiors.

Online sales open for bids on February 9 and will close respectively on February 27 with ‘Elton’s Versace’, ‘Honky Château’ and ‘The Jewel Box’.

The second day of online sales will end on February 28 with ‘Love and Lust’, ‘Elton’s Superstars’ and ‘Out of the Closet’.

In the run up to the sales, Christie's Rockefeller Center Galleries is showcasing a series of specially designed immersive spaces, offering a dynamic view into the world of Elton John.

The exhibition is free and open to the public from February 9 through February 21  (11am to 5pm) at Christie’s 20 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.