You know the house. Even if you’ve never set foot in Illinois, you know the red brick, the Georgian symmetry, and that specific semicircular driveway. It is arguably the most famous piece of residential real estate in American cinema. 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois, isn't just a suburban home; it’s a cultural landmark that has managed to maintain its mystique despite being a private residence for decades.
Most people just call it the Home Alone house.
Honestly, it’s a bit surreal to see it in person. Located in a quiet, leafy neighborhood about 20 miles north of Chicago, the property sits on about half an acre of land. It looks remarkably similar to how it appeared in Chris Columbus’s 1990 classic, though the trees are much taller now and the security fence is a bit more robust than it was in the late eighties.
The Reality of 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka
People often assume the entire movie was filmed inside the house. That’s not actually true. While the exterior shots and several key interior scenes—like the iconic staircase and the foyer—were filmed on-site, a huge chunk of the interior work happened at New Trier Township High School. The crew built a massive set inside the school’s gymnasium because the actual rooms at 671 Lincoln Avenue weren't quite big enough to accommodate a full camera crew, lighting rigs, and a kid running amok with a BB gun.
The house itself was built in 1920. It’s a 5,389-square-foot colonial-style masterpiece. When John and Cynthia Abendshien owned the home during the filming, they reportedly lived in a small suite on the second floor while Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci turned their kitchen and living room into a Hollywood playground. Can you imagine? Having Kevin McCallister screaming in your hallway while you’re trying to have a quiet dinner upstairs?
✨ Don't miss: The Long Haired Russian Cat Explained: Why the Siberian is Basically a Living Legend
It takes a specific kind of person to live there. You have to be okay with the "Lookie-loos."
The 2024 Sale and Modern Upgrades
For years, the house remained relatively unchanged in the public eye, but 2024 brought a massive shift for 671 Lincoln Avenue. It hit the market for $5.25 million. This wasn't just a celebrity-adjacent listing; it was a reveal of what happens when a historic home gets a massive, high-end renovation.
The interior doesn't look like the McCallister home anymore. Gone is the heavy green and red wallpaper that screamed 1990s holiday cheer. The new interior is sleek, modern, and—honestly—a bit minimalist compared to the cozy clutter of the movie.
What’s actually inside now?
- A massive sun-drenched conservatory that connects the original structure to a new addition.
- A state-of-the-art movie theater (obviously).
- A fully equipped indoor sports court. Yes, a basketball court inside the Home Alone house.
- Five bedrooms and six bathrooms, most of which have been gutted and reimagined with white marble and contemporary fixtures.
The renovation was handled by the previous owners who bought the place in 2012 for about $1.58 million. They spent over a decade meticulously expanding the footprint while keeping that world-famous facade intact. It’s a delicate balance. If you change the front of 671 Lincoln Avenue, you basically destroy a piece of Americana. Thankfully, they kept the brickwork and the iconic front door exactly where they belonged.
🔗 Read more: Why Every Mom and Daughter Photo You Take Actually Matters
Why Winnetka?
Winnetka is one of the wealthiest zip codes in the United States. It’s the heart of the North Shore. John Hughes, the legendary filmmaker behind Home Alone, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, had a deep obsession with this area. To him, Winnetka represented the quintessential American dream—safe, beautiful, and timeless.
If you drive down Lincoln Avenue, you’ll notice it’s not just the Home Alone house that’s impressive. The entire street is lined with multi-million dollar estates. However, 671 is the only one that has a constant stream of tourists parked out front taking selfies.
The local police have a "love-hate" relationship with the property. During the holidays, the traffic can get pretty wild. The village has had to implement strict parking rules to keep the neighbors from losing their minds. If you’re planning a pilgrimage, don't expect to go inside. It’s a private home, and the current owners are very protective of their privacy—which makes sense when you live in a house that millions of people recognize by heart.
The Myth of the "McCallister Wealth"
There has been a lot of debate lately about how much Peter and Kate McCallister actually made to afford a place like 671 Lincoln Avenue. Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago actually looked into this recently.
💡 You might also like: Sport watch water resist explained: why 50 meters doesn't mean you can dive
In 1990, the house was affordable only to the top 1% of Chicago households. To comfortably own that home today, you’d likely need an annual income well north of $700,000. It’s a fun bit of trivia that adds a layer of "how did they afford those plane tickets to Paris?" to the movie's plot. The house itself is a character, signaling a level of upper-middle-class comfort that feels both aspirational and, let’s be real, a little bit impossible for most.
Visiting 671 Lincoln Avenue Responsibly
If you are going to make the trip to Winnetka, there are a few things you should know. It’s not a museum. You can’t buy a ticket.
- Stay on the sidewalk. The owners have installed security cameras and a fence for a reason. Respect the property line.
- Timing matters. If you go in July, it’s just a nice house. If you go in December, you’ll be fighting for a spot on the curb with fifty other families.
- Check out the rest of the neighborhood. The "Murphy" house from the movie is nearby, and the park where Kevin meets Old Man Marley (Hubbard Woods Park) is just a short drive away.
671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka remains a symbol. It’s a symbol of 90s nostalgia, of family, and of the enduring power of a well-told story. Even with its modern grey-and-white interior and its high-tech security system, it still feels like the place where a 8-year-old boy defended his kingdom with nothing but some Micro Machines and a lot of nerve.
Actionable Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
If you're obsessed with the architecture or the history of the North Shore, your best bet is to look up the 2024 Zillow or Realtor.com archives for the property. The high-resolution photos from the most recent sale offer the only legal way to see the massive transformations made to the basement and the new wing. For those actually traveling to the area, pair your visit with a stop at the Winnetka Historical Society. They keep records on the village's famous filming locations and offer a much deeper context on the development of Lincoln Avenue than you'll get from just staring through a fence.