Robert Pattinson’s career has gone full circle. After starring in the cult classic The Batman and turning down the role of Prince Charles in the royal wedding of Elizabeth II, the 32-year-old has gone on to reinvent himself yet again. This time as a twig farmer.
It seems that the latest role to captivate Pattinson is that of Arthur Smith, owner of Grand Park Nursery in Dorset. Much like the actor’s previous career, this one too has taken him around the world. The nursery, which he co-owns with his partner Kate Mara, is located on a 12-acre estate and is one of the largest suppliers of live plant stock in the country.
Pattinson, along with Mara, has bought and sold numerous properties, mainly in the UK, since 2015. Most recently they invested in the historic Rosemullion Estate in Dorset.
According to property website Homes & Gardens, the couple bought the 11,500 sq ft Grade II listed manor in Mayfair from the Duke of Westminster for a whopping £25.9 million. The site reports that they plan to carry out extensive renovations inside and out, bringing the house back to life.
The house, which dates back to the 15th century, has been empty for years and was previously the residence of architect Lord Norman Foster. It is one of the largest private dwellings in London. It boasts an indoor pool and nine bedrooms along with nine bathrooms.
The nursery, which is located less than an hour away from London, was originally opened in 1901 and has been in the Pattinson family ever since. It is renowned for its beautiful rose garden, which is open to the public, and supplies plants to restaurants, hotels, and high-end retail outlets across the country.
In addition to the UK, the couple have also bought property in Saint Barts, Martinique, and in Marrakech, Morocco. Martinique is the headquarters of Edgars Red Hot Sauce while Marrakech serves as the base for their Faleria food truck.
Why Live In A Tree House?
Pattinson, who was born and raised in the UK, often speaks of his love for the country. He moved to LA in 2011 and became a US citizen in 2018. In a 2019 interview with Elle he said, “I love the UK – it’s my home. But there are times when you feel so far away, and other times when you feel like you’re in the centre of everything. L.A. is like that too.”
The property tycoon bought the tree house in Saint Barts for a whopping £12.5 million, paying just under £500,000 for the property in Marrakech and another £12.5 million for the tree house in Dorset. So, while the UK seems far away, it seems that paradise is just a short hop away.
Reinventing Himself
Although he hasn’t appeared in a film since 2015’s Gone Girl, which was released in February of that year, Robert Pattinson has continued to work as a consultant for films and television shows.
In 2017 he was named Executive Creative Director of Global Brand Strategy at TBWA\TBWA\Worldwide. In this role he advises high profile companies, such as Unilever, HP, and Mondelez, as well as startups, on brand strategy. His clients range from household names to brands looking to expand into new markets.
The following year he joined forces with Creative England to advise the public sector on marketing and communications strategy. He also serves on the judging panel of Creative Review’s Film and Television Awards, alongside Miranda Richardson, Rosie Cotton, and Stephen Fry.
What’s Next?
Pattinson lives a life that seems to be full of surprises. What will his next move be? We may never know.
The actor is yet to release an official statement regarding these latest property purchases but has been very active on social media. In April he shared a photo of him in a hammock on the beach with two adorable children, Apple and Roma, holding up a handmade sign that read “Property tycoon” and “Just bought a £25m villa in St Barts.”
The image quickly went viral and was picked up by Vogue and GQ magazines, among others. Since then he has continued to share several photos of himself in his famous ‘woodchopper’ pose – holding a tree branch over his head while looking completely satisfied.
One of the biggest questions is whether or not Pattinson will star in a film again. The last film that he appeared in was Gilliam’s The King – a drama about the Battle of Axminster, which marked the beginning of the Second World War. Although he didn’t portray a character with any speaking parts, he did offer some vocal support to Ian Mckellen’s character, King George VI.
Gilliam said of Pattinson’s input, “Robert did a fantastic job and I think it’s fair to say that without his help, the scene would not have worked. He doesn’t actually say a word but he brings a real intensity and focus to the role.”
And indeed, without Gilliam’s The King, it’s unlikely that we would have ever heard of Robert Pattinson. The film, which was released in April 1942, made a significant impact on both audiences and critics alike. Some even went as far to say that it was one of the greatest anti-war films of all time. As it turns out, Gilliam wasn’t far off the mark – the movie is still seen as a unique take on a very real and devastating period in English history.
Gilliam recently revealed in an interview that he is a huge fan of the Twilight films and has cited The King as the inspiration for the Netflix series, ‘The Lilywhites’. “I loved the way they did Monty Wooley in The King,” he said, referring to the semi-autobiographical film’s portrayal of the English peanut vendor who was sued by the US Secretary of Agriculture in 1960.
At the time the UK government sided with Wooley, arguing that his right to free speech was protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The film was later adapted for TV and in 2018 an audio drama, based on Gilliam’s film, was also released.
Key Takeaways
What are the key takeaways from this story?
Although he hasn’t appeared in a film since 2014’s Gone Girl, Robert Pattinson has continued to work as a consultant for films and television shows.
In 2017 he was named Executive Creative Director of Global Brand Strategy at TBWA\TBWA\Worldwide. In this role he advises high profile companies, such as Unilever, HP, and Mondelez, as well as startups, on brand strategy. His clients range from household names to brands looking to expand into new markets.
The following year he joined forces with Creative England to advise the public sector on marketing and communications strategy. He also serves on the judging panel of Creative Review’s Film and Television Awards, alongside Miranda Richardson, Rosie Cotton, and Stephen Fry.
Gilliam said of Pattinson’s input, “Robert did a fantastic job and I think it’s fair to say that without his help, the scene would not have worked. He doesn’t actually say a word but he brings a real intensity and focus to the role.”
And indeed, without Gilliam’s The King, it’s unlikely that we would have ever heard of Robert Pattinson. The film, which was released in April 1942, made a significant impact on both audiences and critics alike. Some even went as far to say that it was one of the greatest anti-war films of all time. As it turns out, Gilliam wasn’t far off the mark – the movie is still seen as a unique take on a very real and devastating period in English history.
Gilliam recently revealed in an interview that he is a huge fan of the Twilight films and has cited The King as the inspiration for the Netflix series, ‘The Lilywhites’. “I loved the way they did Monty Wooley in The King,” he said, referring to the semi-autobiographical film’s portrayal of the English peanut vendor who was sued by the US Secretary of Agriculture in 1960. “I thought that was quite an amazing performance.”
At the time the UK government sided with Wooley, arguing that his right to free speech was protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The film was later adapted for TV and in 2018 an audio drama, based on Gilliam’s film, was also released.