After over 30 years, Home Alone still stands the test of time as one of the greatest Christmas movies ever made. And now, you can book a stay in this iconic holiday home for $25 a night! So in the spirit of the season and the best holiday deal ever, let’s do a deep dive on the iconic McAllister house, located in a cozy suburb at 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, Illinois. Check out these fun facts on the Home Alone house!
It took time to find the perfect house
Remember before the internet? Apparently, Home Alone’s location team drove across northern Chicago ‘burbs for 10 hours a day until they found the perfect house. They were looking for something timeless and inviting – and pricey enough to attract Harry and Marv. Mission accomplished!
The interior was actually built in a gym
Even though it’s 4,200 square feet, the inside of the home was too small for some scenes. So the crew found an old high school and reconstructed the set. Things got expensive…fast. Which led to Warner Bros halting production. But then 20th Century Fox saved the day and gave Home Alone the budget it deserved.
A family lived there during filming
Built in the 1920s, the Georgian-style home has five bedrooms with a four-room master suite, which spans the west wing of the home, and three-and-a-half bathrooms. Owners John and Cynthia Abendshien, along with their six-year-old daughter Laura, didn’t relocate during filming (which lasted 4-5 months). Instead, it was business as usual. Imagine Macaulay Culkin chilling in your living room between takes. Wild.
Since filming, the house has gotten a facelift
Goodbye outdated wallpaper and wood cabinets! Before listing, the home’s owners made some modern tweaks. The kitchen was transformed with white cupboards and stainless steel appliances. Walls were painted neutral grays and the staircase was completely remodeled. Thankfully, they didn’t touch the timeless exterior.
The house is worth a pretty penny
We all know a five-bedroom home in a Chicago tree-lined suburb ain’t cheap. In 2012, the Home Alone house was listed for $2.4 million and ended up selling for a whopping $1.585 million (Kevin not included). Compare that to the median list price of homes in Winnetka: $1.4M. That’s a causal 11.9% higher. But the Hollywood memories made in that house? Priceless. So, while you have the chance, better book your stay via Air BnB’s website!
Featured Image Credit: Air BnB
