Home Alone fans baffled after seeing inside iconic house as it goes on sale for £4.2m
Fans of the classic Christmas film Home Alone have expressed their disappointment after the iconic McCallister family home was modernised and put on the market. The brick suburban residence, which features prominently in the 1990 film, has become a dream home for many who wish to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones in a similar setting.
Every year, families revisit the McCallister house on screen as Kevin, the young protagonist, defends it from two burglars. It's the ultimate house for any child left home alone.
The Chicago property, built in 1921, is now up for sale for a staggering $5.25million (£4.2million). It boasts five bedrooms, six bathrooms and spans over 9,126 square feet.
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Additionally, there is a cinema room filled with Home Alone merchandise and a basketball court. Photos of the property, listed by Coldwell Banker Realty, were shared on the popular Facebook page Ancient Homes of America.
However, fans were disheartened by the stark difference in the interior of the home. Some pointed out that only the exterior of the house featured in the film, while Kevin's daring escapades were actually filmed in a studio.
Aside from the lack of Christmas decorations, the home in Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, looks the same from the outside. After an interior renovated in 2018, it is filled with white walls and monochrome furniture, as well as stylish finishings and artwork - much different to the colourful McCallister home.
A listing on Zillow describes the property as: "A legendary holiday dream home, reimagined for modern-day luxury. The stately brick Georgian residence of 'Home Alone' fame brings forward a rare opportunity to own one of the most iconic movie residences in American pop culture.
"Nestled on a picturesque, tree-lined street in the heart of east Winnetka and elegantly poised behind a wrought-iron gate, the property epitomizes classic Chicago suburban architecture.
"The residence itself is a masterpiece of traditional style with an effortlessly flowing floorplan brimming with warmth, character, and exquisitely crafted detail." The property has been viewed over 85,000 on the listing page.
Commenting on Ancient Homes of America's post, one individual said: "I'm just going to say it, I think they ruined the house." Another said: "The inside is elegant and modern but cold and uninviting. I prefer to remember it with the Home Alone motif." "I'd buy this house and turn it right back into the original decor," wrote another.
"They destroyed the house," said another Home Alone fan. "It's way too white," said one other. Another suggested: "If I had the money I'd do what the guy who bought the Christmas Story house did and make it look just like the movie, run it as a museum/Air BnB . And spend every Christmas there."
One other commented: "Sad they took the nostalgia out. Would have been SO much better if everything was left untouched. Because this movie is SO iconic."
But some fans noted that while the exterior of the property was used for filming, the inside in Home Alone and sequel Lost In New York is actually a set. One individual said: "The entire inside was a stage in a school which some of the stage is still built in the school everything in the movie looked nothing like it did in the actual home."
Another responded to Home Alone fans and wrote: "The house was a set, except when they filmed the outside, it was the actual house. All the inside filming was a set. There was a documentary about it on Netflix I believe."
One other said: "The inside of the house was not used in the movie just the exterior. The inside was built in a high school gymnasium. Watch the Home Alone episode of The Movies that Made Us on Netflix."
One individual said they appreciate how the home looks and added: "It's quite beautiful. Obviously, keeping a home outdated for nostalgia is not wise. They've done an amazing job with the updates."
Another agreed and added: "This is my dream house. I love the clean modern look to it and all of the additions too. It's absolutely perfect. I would buy it if I could. Or even remake a version of it in England where I live. That would be incredible."
"It's a chance to own a piece of cinematic history and create lasting memories within its iconic walls," added the estate agents.
