Table of Contents
The settings of the hit show Game of Thrones are just as essential as the characters it involves. And in real life, the fictional properties would make for some of the most interesting real estate listings
Aired for the first time on Home Box Office (HBO) in the United States in 2011, the hit high fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones will soon be on its seventh and penultimate season, which is set to premiere on July 17, 2017.
An adaptation of author George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice series of novels, Game of Thrones was highly anticipated by fans even before its premiere. The show was an immediate critical and commercial success, showing up on almost all significant “best” lists of shows, and a number of the cast members being praised for their award-winning/nominated performances.
Another highly touted aspect of the show has been its production values, as it features a fully realized world, fictitious locations of which prove to be just as integral to its stories as its compelling cast of characters.
As many fans have surely imagined what life would be like as a Game of Thrones character, Lamudi imagines what it would be like if the show’s realms were listed on the local real estate market.
Casterly Rock
Casterly Rock is the ancestral stronghold of House Lannister, and is one of the most formidable and well-defended castles in all of Westeros. Located on the continent’s West coast, Casterly Rock overlooks the city of Lannisport, and consists of fortifications built into and on top of an immense rock formation. The standout features of the property are actually located within its landscape, beneath the visible castle.
Numerous catacombs, dungeons, and redoubts are built deep into Casterly Rock, its region of which also serves as the Lannisters’ primary mine. The combination of the land being a literal source of riches, and the different property improvements on top and within it, Casterly Rock would cost a significant amount in the local market, and its price likely only available upon request from very serious buyers.
Castle Black
Supposedly built by one “Bran the Builder” some 8,000 years ago, Castle Black is one of only three manned castles left on The Wall along with Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and The Shadow Tower. It is located between the unmanned castles of Queensgate and Oakensheild. Castle Black is the primary headquarters and redoubt of the Night’s Watch.
While dark and chilling, Castle Black features a living and floor space of 5,000 square meters, which is more than adequate for a multitude of residents. These include about 100 highly motivated security guards that come with the property. Along with the numerous communal bedrooms, the property also features a library, armory, memorial chamber, several stables, and additional utility rooms.
Dragonstone
A beachfront property, Dragonstone is a castle that stands on the eponymous island located in Blackwater Bay. Built approximately 500 years ago, it is the ancestral seat of House Targaryen, and was once the stronghold of a cadet branch of House Baratheon. The property features decorations by Valyrian stonecutters with thousands of intricate stone figures.
Fully furnished, Dragonstone includes fireplace heating, elaborate wood carvings in its interior, a large hall, utility rooms, and an armory. It also has richly decorated and well-fortified towers on the sea side, and combined with its isolated island location offer a unique feeling of security. The property also includes a seven-sided chapel separate from the main castle.
Harrenhal
The largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms, Harrenhal stands as a shell of its former self since its burning by dragon fire in the War of Conquest. Despite the property’s ruinous state, Harrenhal’s holdings are some of the richest in Westeros, claiming vast tracts of green fertile land that reach as far as the hills of House Wode near the crownlands.
The castle has five towers of varied but significant size, and its walls are thick, which despite a severe lack of maintenance, can be considered more reliable than the walls of the structures of today. Additional features include multiple kitchens kept in one domed building on the property, an armory, a barracks, a bath house, and a bear pit.
House of the Undying
The present headquarters of the Warlocks of Qarth, the House of the Undying is a large tower without any visible openings, where entry can only be done by consuming a local beverage. The structure is surrounded by trees, which are used to make the Shade of the Evening, the aforementioned beverage that is said to grant magical powers.
The property is appealing in that it is essentially a farm lot where one can make a living off of the trees making the supposed magical beverage, and its central location between the Summer Sea and the Jade Sea, and proximity to the Red Waste, furthers its investment appeal. Residentially, the home has plenty to offer, with a floor space limited only to the occupants’ emotional constitution.
The Inn at the Crossroads
A popular stop for travelers on the Kingsroad, the Inn at the Crossroads is aptly name due to its being located at the meeting point of major roads that run north–south and east–west. These are the aforementioned Kingsroad, which runs north to Winterfell and south to King’s Landing, and the River Road, which runs west into the Riverlands. At the crossroads, however, the name of the highway running west–east changes, becoming known as the Eastern Road that runs to the Vale of Arryn.
The central location of the inn makes it a unique opportunity for investors, where the old timbered house with architecture typical of its locale, would receive plenty of walk-in customers coming from every direction. The property features a pub on the ground floor, below two upper floors featuring 21 guest rooms.
Pyke
Located on an island sharing the same name, Pyke has been the stronghold of the House Greyjoy for centuries. Its location is one of the seven major Iron Islands, which Pyke serves as the regional capital of. The cliff that the ancient stronghold stands on has been eroded by the sea, which after some time has resulted in Pyke’s towers standing on stone stacks.
Featuring deconstructivist architecture, Pyke features a rustic yet stately interior, equipped with very comfortable private chambers. Fully furnished, the property includes a fireplace, a mostly wooden interior featuring handmade tapestry, and several large halls. Bridges composed of wood and stone connect the different towers of the island property.
The Red Keep
Located within the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, which is King’s Landing, the Red Keep presently serves as the residence of the King of the Andals and the First Men, his family, and his court. It dominates the skyline of the city, and serves as the locale’s primary fortress and redoubt. The property also overlooks Blackwater Bay and the Narrow Sea.
Apart from the benefits of a one-of-a-kind location, property features of The Red Keep also includes a massive throne room known as The Great Hall, a central stout tower known as Maegor’s Holdfast, and another two known as The Tower of the Hand and The White Sword Tower. The property also features a four-level dungeon and a number of secret passages.
The Twins
Also known as The Crossing, The Twins are a pair of near-identical towers connected by a fortified bridge over the Green Fork of the River Trident. Representing the only crossing point over the Trident for hundreds of miles in either direction, the bridge presents significant commercial opportunities given its propensity to a great deal of traveler traffic that are charged a toll.
The two towers that garnered the property its name are also near-identical indoors, with each having the same layout and floor space. Features of the property include a luxurious banquette hall, complete with banquette furnishings, and throne room with a solid oak throne. While the upper floors with contemporary furnished chambers are for residential use, the lower floors are dedicated for commercial.
Water Gardens
A garden estate located in the Dorne, the Water Gardens consists of a main residence and several auxiliary buildings, utility buildings, and stables. It presently serves as a private residence to House Martell of Sunspear, the rulers of the constituent region. Endlessly long promenades that rove between palm trees, flowering shrubs, and pools and fountains characterize the estate.
Inside the main house are several representative reception halls and bedrooms, all of which have been furnished with fine furniture and carpets. The Water Gardens are located approximately 200 meters from the public beach, and a three-hour journey from the regional capital city, Sunspear. An estimated three dozen people are required to be in charge of the care of the garden, watering, and the household.
Winterfell
Winterfell is a very large castle located at the center of the North, and where small Godswood is enclosed within the walls. It is located alongside the Kingsroad as it makes its way from the Wall to the capital at King’s Landing. Standing for around a millennium, the castle has winding tombs below it, which contain the remains of Stark kings and lords and record the history of the ancient family.
One of the biggest features of the property is its being situated atop hot springs that help maintain its warmth in even in the worst winters. While a fir incident burned the wood portions of the castle, and subsequently hurt the property’s overall value, its cores stone structures and the previously mentioned Godswood have remained fundamentally intact, providing a good foundation for repairs and home improvement.
Main and listings images © 2017 Home Box Office, Inc.
