A terraced cottage with a difference… It comes with its very own shark
Since 1986, an ordinary 3-bedroomed terraced cottage at Headington in Oxfordshire has sported something a little different after its owner stuck a 25-foot high model of a shark onto its roof.
The house, which is now available to rent through agents Andrews for £2,250 per month, includes 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 reception rooms and is described as “unique” in its marketing spiel.
‘Untitled 1986’ or ‘The Headington Shark’, as it is known locally, was installed on 9th August 1986 – the 41st anniversary of the dropping of the atom bomb on Nagasaki – as a protest against nuclear power. It was the idea of the owner of the house, an American born BBC radio presenter named Bill Heine, and designed by sculptor John Buckley.
Heine battled with planners for six years to keep the shark on his roof. In 1992, Michael Heseltine eventually granted retrospective planning permission and of it Heine recently commented:
“I didn’t think it would be here for 28 minutes, let alone 28 years. The shark still sparks curiosity and amazement. When I walk up and see a robin perched on the dorsal fin of the shark, it still gives me shivers”.
Come on into the water.
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