Kurt Cobain changed music as the frontman of Nirvana, bringing grunge music from Seattle to the world in the early 90s.
His voice, raw lyrics, and flannel shirts made him the voice of a generation.
The Kurt Cobain house on Lake Washington Boulevard became a symbol of fame, a mansion to his beginnings in Aberdeen, Washington.
The Seattle property is in the private Denny-Blaine neighborhood, surrounded by greenery and offering views of Lake Washington.
It was built in 1902, this Tudor-style mansion is over 5,500 square feet with four bedrooms and bathrooms on almost an acre of land.
Cobain and Courtney Love bought it in January 1994 for about $1.48 million, where they moved to find peace away from the fame and spotlight.
Here, we’ll take you through the Kurt Cobain House details, look inside his childhood house in Aberdeen, check out his pre-fame apartment in Olympia, and look at the properties connected to this music icon.
Who was Kurt Cobain?
Kurt Cobain wasn’t some random musician but he was the voice of Generation X.
Born in 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington, he grew up in a broken home and found his escape through music. His band Nirvana got famous in 1991 when “Smells Like Teen Spirit” hit it.
People call Cobain the “Grunge Icon” because he defined the whole movement, the messy hair, the thrift store clothes, and songs that were raw and real.
At the time of his death in 1994, reports said that his net worth was around $50 million.
His main residence was that Tudor mansion on Lake Washington Boulevard in Seattle. The house cost $1.48 million in 1994, but today the estimate goes for around $8-10 million.
After Cobain died, Courtney Love sold it in 1997, and it’s stayed in private hands since then.
Inside Kurt Cobain House: A Tudor-style Mansion
The Kurt Cobain House which is in Seattle looks stunning but with a grunge twist.
From the outside, it has Tudor charm with steep gables and classic detailing on the 1902 structure.
Inside, the 5,500-square-foot space with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and natural light coming in through windows overlooking Lake Washington.
Bedrooms
The mansion had four bedrooms on its two floors. The master bedroom was big, bigger than the small apartments Cobain lived in during his early days with Nirvana.
According to friends who visited, as mentioned in Charles Cross’s biography “Heavier Than Heaven,” Cobain and Love kept their bedroom simple despite having money.
The other bedrooms served as guest rooms and one was set up as a nursery for their daughter Frances Bean.
The upper floor bedrooms had the cool slanted ceilings that come with Tudor-style homes.
Bathrooms
All four bathrooms in the Lake Washington home had been updated before Cobain and Love moved in. They featured vintage-style fixtures that matched the home’s 1900s architecture.
The master bath was spacious with a separate shower and tub.
Kurt wasn’t known for luxury, but having private bathrooms is nice after years of sharing tour bus bathrooms.
Living Room
The living room was the heart of the Lake Washington house, big windows, hardwood floors, and a fireplace. This is where Cobain plays guitar and works on new songs.
According to Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl in a CNN interview, the living room had “amazing acoustics” that Kurt appreciated.
The room had tall ceilings and a view of the lake that gave Cobain peace during a troubled time.
Friends who visited noted that it wasn’t filled with expensive furniture but only with comfortable pieces and music equipment.
Kitchen with Dining Area
The kitchen was big for a guy who wasn’t known for his cooking skills. It had a spacious layout with a center island and connected to a dining area.
According to reports from people who visited, the kitchen had been updated before they moved in with modern appliances.
The dining area featured a large table, the Cobain and Love household wasn’t good on formal dining.
Garage
The property included a detached garage that had multiple cars. He drove a beat-up Volvo after becoming famous.
According to Seattle property records, the garage maintained the same Tudor architectural style as the main house.
Friends mentioned that Cobain used part of the garage as an impromptu studio space when he wanted privacy to work on music.
Outdoor Amenities
The outdoor space was the most impressive part of the property. It’s on 0.75 acres of land, the yard offered views of Lake Washington and had trees that gave privacy from the spotlight and cameras.
The property included that infamous greenhouse where Cobain ended his life in April 1994.
After Courtney Love sold the house in 1997, the new owners demolished the greenhouse.
How Many Homes Does Kurt Cobain Own?
Kurt didn’t have a massive real estate portfolio like other celebrities.
Throughout his life, he lived in three main places that fans talk about. Let me break them down for you:
| Property | Location | Years Occupied | Size | Value | Style |
| Childhood Home | 1210 East First St, Aberdeen, WA | 1969-1984 | ~1,500 sq ft | $500,000 (historical value) | Craftsman |
| Olympia Apartment | 114 Pear St NE, Olympia, WA | Late 1980s-Early 1990s | Small apartment | Unknown | Apartment building |
| Lake Washington Home | 171 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA | 1994 | 5,500 sq ft | $1.48 million (1994) | Tudor |
After Kurt died in 1994, Courtney handled his estate. She kept the Seattle house for three years before selling it.
The greenhouse where Kurt was found dead was removed by the new owners.
His childhood home in Aberdeen has bounced between owners.
According to Washington news outlets, it was up for sale many times, recently in 2021 for around $279,000. The Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation named it a historic landmark.
The Olympia apartment where Kurt lived during Nirvana’s early days remains standing but isn’t a tourist destination like the other properties.
Was Kurt Cobain Found in the Greenhouse?
Yes, Kurt was found dead in the greenhouse on his Lake Washington property on April 8, 1994.
An electrician who came to work at the house found him. The greenhouse was a separate structure on the property, from the main Tudor mansion.
The greenhouse became an unwanted focal point of the property’s history. When Courtney sold the house in 1997, the new owners demolished the greenhouse.
According to Seattle Times reports from that time, the greenhouse was a small structure with glass walls and ceiling. Kurt had turned it into a retreat space away from the main house.
Who Lives in Kurt Cobain’s House Now?
The Lake Washington Boulevard home has been on the list multiple times since Courtney Love sold it in 1997.
The current owners are private individuals who want nothing to do with the property’s fame or its connection to Cobain.
According to property records and local Seattle news reports, the house sold again in 2019, but the owners’ names aren’t publicized to protect their privacy.
They’ve upgraded security systems and posted no trespassing signs to keep fans and tourists away.
The current owners have made changes to the interior of the home while maintaining its Tudor exterior that makes it recognizable from news photos from the 1990s.
Fans who want to pay respects gather at nearby Viretta Park, which has become an unofficial memorial with benches covered in written tributes, song lyrics, and messages.
What was Kurt Cobain’s Net Worth?
When Kurt died in 1994, his net worth was at around $50 million according to multiple music industry sources and biographers. This came from Nirvana’s album sales, touring revenue, and publishing rights to his songwriting.
After his death, his estate continued to grow.
Forbes lists Cobain among the highest-earning celebrities. In recent years, his estate has earned between $8-10 million from music royalties, merchandise, and licensing deals.
The majority of his estate went to his daughter Frances Bean Cobain, with Courtney Love managing it.
According to a 2020 Business Insider report, the Nirvana catalog alone is worth over $100 million.
Conclusion
Kurt Cobain house tells the story of his journey from the small Craftsman home in Aberdeen, to the apartment in Olympia where Nirvana was born, and to the Tudor mansion on Lake Washington that should have been a sanctuary but became the site of his tragic end.
These homes represent more than real estate. They’re physical connections to a musician who changed music.
The Lake Washington house, with its classic Tudor style and views, shows the contrast between the wealthy Kurt and the personal demons.
Kurt’s story reminds us that houses are only structures, even the ones with lake views and Tudor details.
What happens inside them is important, the creativity, the struggles, the human stories, that’s what matters.
FAQs: Kurt Cobain house
Who owns Kurt Cobain’s house now?
Private owners who want to remain unknown currently own the Lake Washington Boulevard home. They purchased the property in a 2019 sale and made it clear they want privacy and don’t want the house to be a tourist attraction.
How much is Kurt Cobain’s house worth today?
Real estate experts estimate the Lake Washington Boulevard mansion to be worth between $8-10 million, though it hasn’t been publicly listed. The Aberdeen childhood home was listed around $279,000, but its historical significance as a Washington State landmark increased its value.
Is the greenhouse still at Kurt Cobain’s house?
No, the greenhouse was demolished by new owners after Courtney Love sold the property in 1997. They removed it to distance the property from the tragedy that occurred there.
Can you go inside Kurt Cobain’s house?
No, none of Kurt Cobain’s former residences are open to the public. The Lake Washington home is owned with security systems and no trespassing signs. His childhood home in Aberdeen is private property.
Where was the last place Kurt Cobain was seen alive?
According to police reports and biographies, Kurt was last seen by an electrician who came to the Lake Washington home on April 8, 1994. Before that, he was spotted at various locations around Seattle.