If there’s one home on the North Shore with more name recognition than any other, it’s the iconic “Home Alone” house, a stately Georgian-style stunner that became a cultural landmark after its starring role in the 1990 holiday classic.
So, when the Winnetka property went on the market in 2024, it garnered attention from plenty of people—among them the clients of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate agent Lori Nieman, who represented the buyers in the sale. And though Nieman’s clients have chosen to remain private, they appreciate the special place the home holds in the hearts of many.
“My clients understand how much this home means to everyone around the world in terms of family and the connection it conveys,” Nieman said. “They’re honored to become the stewards of this home for a very long time to come.”
She said the new owners have plans for subtle design touches to honor the home’s legacy, though they’re still fine-tuning the details.
“They’re going to create their own memories and put their own personal stamp on it, but they’re not losing sight of the importance of the home,” she said.
The house itself plays a pivotal role in “Home Alone,” which tells the story of 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, who accidentally gets left behind when his family goes on Christmas vacation without him. The movie’s main action takes place almost entirely in the home, which Culkin’s character is forced to defend from burglars on the prowl.
According to a Netflix documentary, the interior scenes were filmed mostly on a soundstage built in nearby New Trier West High School, but some memorable interiors and all the exterior shots were filmed at the house, helping to make it as recognizable as any in movie history.
But the house, which sold for $5.5 million – $250,000 above its asking price – isn’t just a cinematic treasure. Built in 1921, the residence is now (after renovation) more than 9,100 square feet, boasting five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a classically beautiful exterior and all the interior grandeur you’d expect of a Winnetka mansion.
“It’s an architecturally and aesthetically desirable home to many luxury buyers in the Winnetka and North Shore area,” Nieman said, “especially with a prime East Winnetka location with its proximity to the downtown area—shops and dining and everything that Winnetka has to offer. It was very market-priced in its own right.”
In 2012, the “Home Alone” house sold for $1.585 million. After that purchase, the owners doubled the size of the home and dug 30 feet into the ground to add an indoor basketball court. Since the movie’s filming, there have been only three owners of the property, with Nieman’s clients being the third.
In addition to the movie fame, another aspect of the home’s sale rendered it a bit unusual: the time to closing—seven months, in this case.
“My clients were understanding of the sellers’ wishes to remain in the home for one more holiday season and accommodated that request,” Nieman said, “as evidenced to how much this home means to everyone around the world.”
Written By: Georgia Garvey for @properties Christie's International Real Estate
