Fed-up millionaires paint iconic colourful homes BLACK to put off crowds of influencers posing outside on their doorstep

The Sun

4 days ago

DISGRUNTLED millionaires have painted their famous colourful houses black to put off hoards of nosy tourists.
Residents of Hillgate Village, in Notting Hill, have become swamped by influencers posing outside their multi-million pound pastel coloured houses.
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Locals open their curtains in the morning and see tourists peering back at them.
At times they're forced to shoo visitors away from their doorsteps as holidaymakers stop for snaps.
Some residents compared living on the iconic street to being trapped inside "Disneyland or the zoo".
In busy summer months up to 60 people can be found gathered outside the brightly coloured houses.
Many tourists mistake the area as the set location of Richard Curtis' Notting Hill.
As a form of retaliation, homeowners are now painting their properties black and dark blue - so they won't be quite as Instagrammable.
As reported by The Standard, a letter was sent among residents which read: 'It's clear that the bright and contrasting house colours are a major draw for photographs for their social media accounts.
"While we all value the charm of our street, the unintended consequence has been a surge in disruptive tourism.'
One anonymous neighbour said: 'It's really invasive overtourism for no reason at all. We are not a museum.
'It happened during lockdown. This street has always had colours, but we have never had a problem.
"We must have come out on some influencer list somewhere. Everybody, like sheep, followed."
The fed-up local said there are hoards of tourists arriving "every 30 seconds" which leads to rubbish piling up on the street.
Those homeowners who work from home are also often distracted with the level of noise.
The resident highlighted how there isn't enough infrastructure to accommodate the "mass tourism".
As well as opting for a different paint colour, others have installed chains and warning signs.
Another neighbour added: 'Our message is that London has amazing stuff to go and see.
"There are amazing museums, amazing parks, and places that cater for tourism. This is just a residential street where people are trying to live their lives.'
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Since adding a fresh lick of paint to the properties, residents say there has been less footfall.
But, it hasn't solved the nightmare ordeal - which sometimes sees locals barging past up to 150 tourists gathered in front of their house.
Some influencers have also been known to pitch up a tent on the street.
In a particularly disturbing incident, a 'pornographic photoshoot' was even filmed on the street, claimed one resident.
"People are not conscious or aware that there are humans living in these houses trying to live their lives,' one Notting Hill resident added.
'It's incredibly disruptive. It's been horrendous.
Another local told how the mass tourism has negatively impacted their ability to rent out houses.
'People tut at you and are rude if you try and get into your own house," they added.
Other have even had personal items nicked from their cars.
'It's just become a nightmare… When you're sitting in your living room it sounds like Oxford Street," continued the neighbour.
Why are the homes in Hillgate Village pastel coloured?
The brick and stucco homes have only become pastel coloured after WW2 as the area has become increasingly affluent.
Kensington & Chelsea council has since designated Hillgate Village a 'character area'.
There remains some homes in the village which have the original brickwork exposed.
The area was once described as a "slum" and the homes were lived in by brick makers, blacksmiths, and coach drivers.
Hillgate was nicknamed 'The Racks' and had a rough reputation for a century, until the area become popular in the post-war period.
This comes after the most "instagrammable" house on the street went on sale for £1.25million - and the owner is gutted to see the pink pad go.
Eccentric property developer and reality star Malcom Wood, 66, owns the 871-square-foot social media sensation and says he's spotted a fair share of influencers on his doorstep.
The Bankrobber house on Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill, is supposedly the most photographed house in London.
Unfortunately Malcom is letting it go due to tax hikes, but he said he'll definitely miss the tourist hotspot.
'It's had more than 2,000 women who have had their photo taken outside," he said.
'They're always there, when I stayed there for a little while, every time I'd look out my window they'd wave at me.
'Sometimes they'll want to throw a party - one influencer paid me £4,000 for one night.'
Malcolm has since moved out of his party house and it's been used mostly on Airbnb for £300 a night.
A quick search of "The Pink House" online will drag up thousands of pictures of models, influencers and tourists posted outside the pink plot.
Other swanky houses in the area certainly seemed to get some attention too.
A neighbour on the road said her home has received its fair share of internet fame as well.
She said: "We get a few for sure, people taking pictures outside but it's not too hectic - because it's everywhere in London.
"You walk down the street and there's always people taking pictures. Our front house as well, it's kind of the usual thing.
"In peak season you'd probably get 10 a day maybe."
Robbie Williams, Harry Styles, and Hugh Grant are just a few of the Hollywood stars who are rumoured to live in the city's infamously posh spot.
With three high-ceilinged floors, a secret top floor, and two secret basement floors, the houses along Lonsdale Road are said to boast six levels altogether.
The famous London joint was so popular it used to exhibit works by Banksy, Russell Young, Pete Doherty and Ronnie Kray.
For this reason, it was nicknamed The Bankrobber House.
It's since been repainted to the recognisable hot pink it is now.
'CONSTANT MURMURING'
Meanwhile, other residents have previously spoken to The Sun about the tourism issue.
40-year local David, who only wanted his first name used, wished the tourists would leave.
He said tourists had only been coming to his street since the pandemic.
"There were not many people four years ago, now we get hundreds a day, what's it going to be like in five years time?
"I'd rather they went away... and I worry about what happens if the trend continues."
David said that more tourists came during summer, but in the last year or so many people were arriving at 8am even during rainy winter days.
"There was a day two Saturdays ago when it was not so sunny, it felt like a crowded street and I counted 50 people.
"If you're trying to work during the day and you open your window there's a constant murmuring.
"They might be going up to Portobello Road or on their way to Holland Park, but why here particularly?"
And, Grandad Peter Lee who lives in a pink home, has had scantily clad X-rated photo shoots on his door step.
Despite the posers damaging his steps, he's never had a problem but says it's about time they ask permission.
The 78-year-old told The Sun: "It's virtually everyday and all day, it's worse than ever."
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