Elvis fan Claire Starring purchased the 3‑bed, 1.5‑bath 'Lil’ Graceland' house in Memphis for $150,000 in May 2026. The property, listed for $175,000, sold a week after Starring’s visit, with the transaction confirmed by Realtor.com. “I have to have this place,” she told the site, echoing the urgency that drove her decision.
The house was originally bought in 2017 by Dale Watson and Celine Lee for $55,000 and turned into a shrine of 1950s memorabilia. Starring, a former set designer from Woodstock, Georgia, said the green shag carpet and peacock‑themed living room were the first things that captured her heart. “It was like stepping into a time capsule,” she told the reporter.
Starring grew up on the Isle of Man, where her mother would spin Elvis records while she worked. “His rise from nothing to a star inspired me,” she said. She added that the music helped her navigate the challenges of a childhood marked by financial hardship.
The interior remains largely unchanged: wood paneling, vintage furniture, and a retro kitchen with modern appliances. Starring repainted the brick‑red exterior bright turquoise on closing day, a nod to the iconic color of Graceland’s façade. She will preserve the Sun Studio equipment in the basement, which has already hosted bands like The Black Keys.
Her most ambitious plan is to remodel two backyard caravans into glamping units, each outfitted with a full bathroom. The first unit is slated to open for Airbnb rentals in July, promising a new revenue stream while offering guests an intimate Elvis experience. Starring also intends to keep the house available for film shoots, music recordings, and future weddings.
Starring will reserve the property for family celebrations, including a 1950s Thanksgiving in September. “We’ll be going for Thanksgiving. We’re going to have a 1950s Thanksgiving at the house,” she told the reporter. The next major event is the July glamping launch, which will mark the house’s debut as a commercial destination for Elvis enthusiasts.