Bam Margera burst onto the entertainment scene in the early 2000s as part of the outrageous MTV reality stunt series “Jackass.” As one of the show’s original cast members, Margera quickly became a household name for his daring skateboarding feats and outlandish pranks.
The success of “Jackass” spawned a series of spinoff shows and films that further cemented Margera’s celebrity status. One of those shows, “Viva La Bam,” offered fans an intimate look inside Margera’s home life. The show was filmed primarily at Margera’s sprawling Chester County, Pennsylvania estate, known as “Castle Bam.”
For fans, Castle Bam took on an almost mythical quality. Its gothic architecture and eclectic interiors reflected Margera’s bold and unapologetic personality. The indoor skate park, music studio, and endless array of curiosities and oddities made it seem like a real-life amusement park.
Over the years, Castle Bam has been the backdrop for many of Margera’s wildest antics and all-night parties. It also serves as his personal sanctuary — a place where his passions for skateboarding, music, and no-holds-barred fun can run free.
Bam Margera House Overview
Castle Bam is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, an affluent suburb about 25 miles west of Philadelphia. Set on 14 sprawling acres, the estate includes an 11,000 square foot main house, pool, skate park, and several other structures.
The main Bam Margera House has a distinctive gothic style, with arched windows, turrets, gargoyles, and even a dungeon basement. The rooms feature vaulted ceilings, intricate stonework, spiral staircases, and stained glass windows.
Outside, the grounds include a full-sized skate park, BMX track, pirate ship pool, and gardens. The property also features a separate “skate barn” with ramps, a music studio, and spaces for Margera to house his extensive collections.
Inside Castle Bam: Eclectic Design and Personalization
Stepping inside Castle Bam is like entering Margera’s own imaginative wonderland. Each room overflows with color, texture, and Margera’s touches.
The living room features concert murals, a custom-built aquarium, and graffiti art. The dining room hosts a 20-foot dining table lit by wrought-iron chandeliers. Walls display Margera’s framed artwork collection, including original Basquiat and Warhol pieces.
Other spaces reflect Margera’s unconventional design aesthetic. The kitchen has vibrant red cabinets, concrete counters, and a glass ceiling. The foyer features a tank of live snakes and a stuffed grizzly bear. The basement resembles a medieval dungeon, with skulls, swords, and a suit of armor.
Celebrity Neighbors and Community
Castle Bam sits among other sprawling celebrity estates in Chester County’s affluent “Hollywood suburb.” Neighbors have included musicians like Dave Grohl and Hollywood stars such as Johnny Depp.
Living near other celebrities has led to some memorable chance encounters for Margera. Grohl once borrowed sugar from the Castle Bam kitchen, while Depp allegedly stopped by after his own home renovation project went awry.
But the neighborhood also presents unique challenges. Like many celebrity homes, Castle Bam requires extensive security measures to maintain privacy. The property is surrounded by high stone walls and monitored by security cameras.
Entertainment and Recreational Spaces
In addition to its grand interiors, Castle Bam contains extensive recreational facilities catering to Margera’s interests. These include:
Skate Park: Castle Bam has its own full-sized outdoor skate park featuring ramps, rails, and a mini half-pipe. Margera spent over $100,000 creating the concrete park and invites pros like Tony Hawk and Andy Roy to session there.
Skate Barn: This separate building houses Castle Bam’s indoor skate park with street obstacles, vert ramps, and a foam pit. It also contains Margera’s music studio space and hangout areas.
Music Room: The music room has a full drum kit, guitars, keyboards, and walls lined with Margera’s vintage vinyl collection. Bands like CKY and HIM have recorded demo tracks there.
These spaces let Margera pursue his twin passions of skateboarding and music at home. They’ve also hosted events like video premieres and late-night band performances.
Challenges of Celebrity Home Ownership
While extravagant homes like Castle Bam may seem glamorous, they also pose unique difficulties for celebrity owners.
Owning a famous estate often necessitates extensive security measures. Castle Bam has dealt with trespassers and fans camping outside its gates. High walls and cameras help deter uninvited guests.
Maintenance is another major undertaking. Keeping Castle Bam’s one-of-a-kind interiors and expansive grounds in shape requires a dedicated staff. Property taxes reportedly run over $60,000 per year.
These factors make privacy and solitude hard to come by for resident celebrities like Margera. The financial burdens can also become unsustainable during career lulls.
Renovations and the Transition to Airbnb
In recent years, Margera’s mother April has taken charge of efforts to renovate Castle Bam. Her goal is transitioning parts of the estate into a public rental property.
Renovations have focused on areas like the pool, skate park, and guest rooms. April has also overseen remodeling the skate barn into an events venue available for booking.
Renting out sections of Castle Bam provides income to help offset its hefty maintenance costs. Fans can now request overnight stays or events through Airbnb. The home also remains available for Margera to host his own gatherings when desired.
Personal Life and the Bam Margera House Role
For its owner, Castle Bam has been both a creative haven and the scene of personal turmoil. Its rooms contain reminders of Margera’s career highs, including MTV Moonman awards and element skateboards bearing his name.
But Margera has also struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues over the years. During these difficult periods, Castle Bam has been a sanctuary allowing Margera to retreat from public scrutiny.
More recently, Margera has focused on his sobriety and relationship with his fiancée, Nicole Boyd. He now views Castle Bam as a family home to share with Boyd and their son Phoenix Wolf. Maintaining the property remains an ongoing passion project for Margera.
Financial Aspects and Future Prospects
Margera purchased Castle Bam in 2003 for $1.2 million with proceeds from his MTV earnings. Today its value likely approaches $1.5 million.
Holding onto such a unique but high-maintenance property poses financial challenges though. Income from Airbnb rentals helps Castle Bam earn its keep. But rising costs may eventually force Margera to sell.
For now, Margera considers Castle Bam a long-term investment. The Bam Margera House allows him to monetize his fame through events and rentals. Its rooms also hold countless memories from his pro skating and TV career.
Even if sold, Castle Bam seems destined to live on as an iconic celebrity home. For a generation of fans, it remains the ultimate symbol of Margera’s infectious spirit and the spectacle of his MTV reality days.
Conclusion
Castle Bam reflects the creative vision and lavish lifestyle its owner is known for. Its bold design choices and personalized spaces encapsulate Margera’s identity. For two decades, it has been both Margera’s sanctuary and the backdrop for his daring stunts and all-night bashes.
But the Bam Margera House has also borne witness to Margera’s personal struggles. As he now focuses on his recovery and family life, Castle Bam takes on renewed significance as a home rather than a TV set. Even if eventually sold, it will always represent an indelible part of the Margera legacy.
