Walk down North Genesee Avenue in West Hollywood today and you might miss it. It’s a quiet, leafy street. Most of the houses look like classic California—stucco, manicured lawns, maybe a stray orange tree in the backyard. But there’s one house that stops people in their tracks. 1428 North Genesee Avenue.
It’s the house that Freddy built.
If you grew up in the 80s, that front door is burned into your retina. It’s the primary setting for Wes Craven’s 1984 masterpiece, A Nightmare on Elm Street. In the movie, it was supposed to be in the fictional town of Springwood, Ohio. In reality, it’s just a few blocks off Sunset Boulevard.
The Real Story Behind the "Elm Street" House
Wes Craven didn’t have a massive budget back in '84. He needed a house that felt like Everytown, USA. Something safe. Something suburban. 1428 North Genesee Avenue fit the bill perfectly because it looked so aggressively normal. That was the whole point of the movie, wasn't it? The horror wasn't in some spooky castle on a hill; it was in your own bedroom.
The house itself is a two-story Dutch Colonial. It was built way back in 1919. Honestly, for a "haunted" house, it’s actually quite beautiful. It has three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. When it last hit the market, it didn't look anything like the grimy, booby-trapped version Nancy Thompson lived in.
People always ask if the interior is the same. Usually, the answer is no. Most of the interior shots for the film were done on soundstages or in other locations to allow for the practical effects—like the spinning room or the bathtub scene. But the exterior? That’s 100% the Genesee house.
📖 Related: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
Why the Red Door is a Lie
Here is a bit of trivia that usually shocks people: The door isn't red.
Well, it was red in the movie. Then it was blue for a long time. Then it was black. The current owners have, at various times, painted it to match the film's iconic look and then painted it back to a neutral color to discourage the endless parade of tourists taking selfies.
Imagine living there. You're trying to drink your morning coffee and there's a guy in a striped sweater and a clawed glove standing on your sidewalk at 7:00 AM. It happens more than you'd think.
The 1428 North Genesee Avenue Real Estate Rollercoaster
Hollywood history isn't cheap. In 2013, the house sold for about $2.1 million. By the time it hit the market again around 2021, the price tag had jumped significantly. It eventually sold for roughly $2.98 million.
Lorene Scafaria, the director of Hustlers, was actually one of the previous owners. She did a massive amount of work to renovate the place. She kept the iconic shell but turned the inside into a high-end, modern living space. It’s got white oak floors and a primary suite that looks like a spa. It’s a weird contrast. You have this sleek, multimillion-dollar interior, but the outside still gives off that "Don't Fall Asleep" vibe.
👉 See also: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
The backyard is actually the hidden gem. It has a pool and a detached guesthouse. In a city like Los Angeles, where space is at a premium, a lot of 1428 North Genesee Avenue's value comes from the lot and the location, not just the cinematic history.
The Neighborhood Vibe
West Hollywood (WeHo) is dense. It’s walkable. You’re close to Whole Foods, the Laugh Factory, and some of the best coffee in the city. But North Genesee stays relatively quiet because it's a residential pocket.
If you visit, you have to be respectful. It is a private residence. There are signs. There are cameras. The owners are used to the fans, but they aren't running a museum.
Does the House Actually Feel Creepy?
Honestly? No.
During the day, the sun hits the white siding and it looks charming. It’s a "Character Home." But if you go there at dusk, when the shadows start stretching across the pavement, your brain starts playing tricks on you. You start looking for a silhouette in the upstairs window.
✨ Don't miss: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
Wes Craven had a gift for picking locations that felt "uncanny." The uncanny is something that is familiar but just slightly off. That is 1428 North Genesee Avenue in a nutshell. It’s the quintessential American home that hides a dark secret.
Interestingly, the house right across the street was also used in the movie. It’s the house where Glen (played by a very young Johnny Depp) lived. If you stand in the middle of the street, you're basically standing in the center of 80s horror history.
The Legacy of the Location
What most people get wrong is thinking the house is a gimmick. It’s not. It’s a legitimate piece of Los Angeles architecture that happens to have starred in a billion-dollar franchise.
The house has survived decades of changes in the neighborhood. It survived the decline of the slasher genre and its eventual rebirth. It’s a landmark. Even if you aren't a horror fan, you have to appreciate the way this single address influenced how we visualize "scary" movies. Before Nightmare, horror was often Gothic. After Nightmare, horror lived next door.
Actionable Tips for Visiting or Researching
If you're planning to swing by or you're just a massive film nerd, here is how to handle the 1428 North Genesee Avenue experience without being "that" tourist:
- Go during the day. The lighting is better for photos, and it’s less likely to annoy the neighbors than lurking around with a flashlight at midnight.
- Keep your distance. Stay on the public sidewalk. Don't step onto the lawn. Don't touch the mailbox.
- Check the lighting. If you're a photographer, the house faces West-ish. Late afternoon "Golden Hour" makes the white wood pop, but it can create harsh shadows on the porch.
- Explore the area. Walk a few blocks over to the Sunset Strip. You’re right near the Chateau Marmont and the Roxy. Make a day of it.
- Don't expect a tour. There are no indoor tours. This is someone's house. If you want the "Elm Street" interior experience, you're better off visiting a horror convention or a prop museum like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
The house at 1428 North Genesee Avenue is a reminder that the best stories are often rooted in places that feel exactly like home. It’s a piece of the Hollywood dream—and nightmare—preserved in wood and stucco. Whether it’s worth $3 million or $300, the cultural value of that specific curb appeal is something you just can't manufacture.
If you want to see the real thing, set your GPS for West Hollywood, keep your eyes peeled for that Dutch Colonial roofline, and whatever you do, don't fall asleep in the car.