Joy Division fan to turn Ian Curtis's home into a museum

The two bedroom terrace at 77 Barton Street, Macclesfield where Ian Curtis once called home - and fatefully killed himself aged 23 - has now been bought by a Joy Divison fan who plans to turn it into a museum.

Snapped up by Hadar Goldman "to raise awareness into one of the most seminal bands in the history of contemporary music”, the developer even had to stump up an additional £75,000 on top of the original £115,000 asking price after he learnt another private buyer was in discussions.

Given the morbid history associated with the property of course, the development has already raised some notable eyebrows, including those of Curtis’s former band-mate Bernard Sumner, who worries it may be “a monument to suicide".

This isn’t helped by the fact a battered old kitchen table from the Macclesfield property went for £8,400 on eBay last year. But Goldman, who has crucially had vocal support from Peter Hook, has been quick to stress the museum would solely be to keep the heritage of the band alive and well:

“It will be developed using both heart and soul. The Joy Division heritage is one that needs preserving for fans around the world. When the time comes, we will welcome the input and ideas of anyone interested in being part of such an exciting project, commemorating a meaningful part of musical history.”

He adds, “Joy Division left a musical legacy which has influenced many of today’s bands. The Joy Division legacy deserves to be taken into the 21st century, to raise awareness into one of the most seminal bands in the history of contemporary music.”

The house has already been used to film scenes in the crticially-acclaimed biopic Control and will be sure to have fans queuing around the block when it opens up to the public. 

Is it a musical mecca you’ll be visiting when the door opens? If so, put your own fandom to the test and take our ultimate Joy Divison quiz in the meantime.

[Via Huh]