Home Alone House Sold Over $5 Million, Fans Demand Full Restoration

The $5 Million Sale

When the Home Alone house went on the market earlier this year, buyers were stunned to see a price tag of more than $5 million—a figure that seemed to eclipse the nostalgic charm of the 1990 film. The listing images, released in 2024, showcased a home that had undergone a major renovation in the past decade, presenting a sleek, modern aesthetic that differed sharply from the film’s cozy interior. Fans of the classic movie quickly noticed the contrast, comparing the glossy new photos to the familiar rooms seen on screen.

Fan Reactions

Social media posts comparing scenes from the movie to the 2024 listing images sparked heated debate. One user wrote, “I would have paid 10x more for that house if it was kept original. Just like a classic car it’s worth more. Now this house looks like every other house,” and another commented, “A moment of silence for what once was a house, and is now a sterile doctors office.” A third comment added, “I am all for a modern aesthetic, but I can’t imagine changing that home into that sterile looking padded room,” while others said the design changes “removed its soul” and called it “incredibly depressing.”

Behind the Scenes

A 2019 episode of Netflix’s series “The Movies That Made Us” revealed that the mansion along Lincoln Avenue was too small for the crew, prompting director Chris Columbus to say, “The mansion along Lincoln Avenue was too small for all the crew members to fit inside.” The team instead shot interior scenes at New Trier Township High School, which had closed in 1981 due to declining enrollment. The original owners, who lived in the house during filming, told NBC Chicago earlier this year, “We lived here during the filming,” John Abendshien said. “We were able to create our own apartment within the home, we had the second-floor master bedroom.”

Abendshien sold the iconic property in 2012, but the 2024 sale marks a new chapter. With the most recent purchase, the new owner has announced plans to restore the house to its 1990 appearance. Front doors and windows are currently boarded up, a temporary measure while restoration work begins, according to NBC Chicago, which learned over the summer that the home is being returned to its “Home Alone” glory.

Restoration Plans

The restoration effort will aim to recreate the original layout and décor, including the master bedroom and other key rooms featured in the film. The new owner intends to remove the modern additions added in the past decade, returning the house to the look that fans remember. This project has generated excitement among movie enthusiasts who hope to see the familiar spaces revived for future generations.

Key Takeaways

• The Home Alone house sold for over $5 million in 2024.
• Fans criticized the modern renovations that altered the film’s original interior.
• The new owner plans a full restoration to the 1990 look, with doors and windows boarded up during work.

The iconic house’s journey from a bustling film set to a modern home and now back to its classic glory illustrates how nostalgia and real estate can collide, leaving fans eager to see the beloved rooms return to life.