ST. PAUL, Minn. - Get ready, Paisley Park. The public is coming.
General admission (and VIP) tickets went on sale Friday and within minutes of the 2 p.m. start time, most of the early purchase general admission tickets for the first few tours were gone (which are also the cheapest at $38.50 + service fees). There were several times listed for tours -- in about 10 minute increments.
Once those sold out, the Paisley Park tour website states other general admission tickets were being sold for $50.
The general admission ticket gets fans a self-guided tour with access to the main floor of Paisley Park, including recording and mixing studios where Prince recorded, his video editing suites and rehearsal rooms and the massive soundstage and concert hall where Prince rehearsed for concert tours and held exclusive, private events and concerts. GA fans also get to sneak a look at Prince's private NPG Music Club.
If you're looking to splurge, the VIP tickets ($100 + $11.75 service and facility fee) gets you a guided 100-minute tour through the same spaces, plus a few more rooms and studio areas and a look at some of Prince's archives with "exclusive photo opportunities." The $100+ ticket also gets you VIP parking at Paisley.
The move to open Paisley Park for public tours was announced earlier this week from Bremer Bank, the current special administrator for Prince's estate. The daily public tours start Oct. 6.
The decision was made by Prince's family, in conjunction with Bremer Bank, to "realize Prince's long-term vision for the property."
"Opening Paisley Park is something that Prince always wanted to do and was actively working on," stated Tyka Nelson, Prince's sister. "Only a few hundred people have had the rare opportunity to tour the estate during his lifetime. Now, fans from around the world will be able to experience Prince's world for the first time as we open the doors to this incredible place."
"The city has done a phenomenal job making sure that he is paid the respect he is owed," said city councilwoman Elise Ryan. "It's a really special thing for this community and something we're really proud of and feel a huge sense of honor and privilege."
An application for development review and a business plan have been submitted to the city of Chanhassen, which calls for a property management team. Paisley Park will continue to be owned by Prince's estate.
An advisory council will also be created in order to "provide valuable input on the entire experience," according to Bremer Trust President Craig Ordal.
Visitors on the guided tours will get an exclusive look at the extensive main floor of Paisley Park, which includes Prince's recording and mixing studios.
Guests will also see his video editing suites, rehearsal rooms, private NPG Music Club, a massive soundstage and concert hall, where he rehearsed for tours and held private events, plus thousands of artifacts from Prince's personal archives -- yes, that includes his concert wardrobe, awards, instruments and motorcycles.
"I know people from all over the world are going to make Paisley Park in Chanhassen a destination," said Chanhassen Mayor Denny Laufenberger. "They will be very impressed with not only the genius of Prince the artist, but also Prince the visionary for what he wanted his studio, his home to be. You see clear evidence that Prince was preparing that for people to see."
"The new Paisley Park museum will offer fans a unique experience, an exhibition like no other, as Prince would have wanted it," according to the official statement by Prince's siblings. "Most important, the museum will display Prince's genius, honor his legacy, and carry forward his strong sense of family and community."
Visit officialpaisleypark.com for more information and tickets.
Paisley Park is located at 7801 Audubon Road in Chanhassen, MN.
