H
ome Alone’s celebrated Chicago residence—a 9,126‑square‑foot brick behemoth in Winnetka—will soon be transformed to match its 1990 on‑screen appearance. Project manager Scott Price told NBC Chicago that the goal is to restore the “warmth and love” that made the film unforgettable. The renovation is being funded by the current, unnamed owner, who purchased the property for $5.5 million in January. Price added that the original color palette “made you feel like family and home,” and the new owners want to bring that magic back. While the exact schedule remains undisclosed, the house is expected to return to its holiday‑themed glory.
The property’s recent sales history underscores its value to fans. Listed at $5.25 million in mid‑2024, it sold in a week for $5.5 million—$250 k above the asking price—after a seven‑month contract. The previous owner had marketed the house as a movie‑themed Airbnb in 2021, offering a single guest a night in a set that matched the film’s interior. That experience drew a single guest, and the house’s fame continues to attract visitors who lament its recent “sterile” appearance. One critic compared the current interior to a “doctor’s office,” while another noted that the house had lost the “spirit and magic” that once made it special.
Fans of the film have long been vocal about the house’s condition. In older marketing images, the interior showed no trace of the McCallister family’s over‑the‑top décor, sparking outrage. Actress Natalie Cole, who visited from Ohio, said the house had become a gray, spirit‑less shell and praised the new owners for restoring its charm. Macaulay Culkin once joked about buying the house “just for giggles” during a 2024 screening of the film.
The renovation will focus on restoring original paint colors, wood paneling, and the iconic red carpet, as well as re‑installing period‑appropriate fixtures. The project will preserve the house’s original layout, including the living room’s large windows and the staircase that became a symbol of the film. The brick façade will be cleaned and repaired to match the film’s look, and a new holiday décor will mirror the movie’s iconic Christmas setting. The owners hope to keep the house open for fans and visitors, perhaps as a museum or event space.
With the renovation underway, the iconic Home Alone residence will once again embody the warmth and holiday spirit that captivated audiences for decades. “We love this movie; it was a defining part of our childhood, and that’s true for the family that owns the house too,” Price said.
