The house rules are simple — no swimming in the Thames, no unapproved floating house parties and no acts of piracy. Got that? Then welcome aboard.
Earlier this week, a floating house turned Airbnb rental set sail on the River Thames. The publicity stunt celebrated the passing of London’s Deregulation Act, which allows residents to rent out their homes for up to 90 days per year.
The quaint, two-storey cottage boasts two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom and a well-manicured lawn with an apple tree and a doghouse. Between May 18th and 23rd, the floating house hosted community events and overnight stays.
Absolut Vodka put on a star-studded party Wednesday night and on Friday, one lucky winner and three friends spent the night in the electric blue floating house. The guests were treated to a tour of London’s Putney district, relaxing massages and a private dinner prepared by Robert Ortiz, the head chef of the Michelin-starred Peruvian restaurant, LIMA.
Floating House at Number 1, The Thames was designed by twin brothers Nick and Steve Tidball, who were inspired by “Pixar films [and] the charming architecture of Primrose Hill.” London is currently the third most popular city worldwide for home-sharing on Airbnb. According to Yahoo Lifestyle UK, homeowners across the pond can earn upwards of ₤5,600 or $8,670 USD per year by renting out their abodes for one week per month.
