George RR Martin’s request to build ‘medieval castle’ in Santa Fe rejected after neighbours protest

‘Game of Thrones’ author planned to build 27ft tall building

George RR Martin’s request to build a castle-style library at his compound in Santa Fe has been rejected by the city’s Historic Districts Review Board.

The Game of Thrones author had planned to construct 27ft tall, seven-sided “medieval castle” with a roof deck and elevator tower.

“It is a medieval castle, and I don’t understand how we could possibly approve it in this style,” board member Frank Katz said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

A resident who lives south of the property, Mark Graham, said the community could not “support having a castle in the neighbourhood”.

“With the notoriety of Mr Martin and Game of Thrones, we absolutely fear that our neighbourhood will become the next treasure hunt, that his fans will be looking to find the castle that’s in the middle of Santa Fe,” he said.

According to architecture firm Autotroph, the library was intended to house “a very sizable collection” of literature and “other collectibles”.

More than 40 neighbours had signed a letter urging the Historic Districts Review Board to reject the request.

“The proposed building is a prominent castle in the middle of a residential neighbourhood in Santa Fe,” the letter said. “It WILL BE VISIBLE.”