Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal! The $5.5M ‘Home Alone’ House Is Getting a Festive Makeover
For decades, the stately red-brick Georgian at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, IL, has been a pilgrimage site for fans of the holiday classic Home Alone. But for many who peeked through the windows recently, the “silver tuna” had lost its shine.
After a controversial “millennial gray” renovation stripped the interior of its soul, a new chapter is beginning. The house—which sold for $5.5 million in early 2025—is officially set to be restored to its 1990s “festive movie glory.”
From “Cozy Christmas” to “Sterile Sanitarium”
The drama began in May 2024 when the property hit the market for $5.25 million. Fans were horrified to see that the warm, eccentric interior—famous for its deep reds, forest greens, and cluttered holiday charm—had been replaced by a stark, monochromatic palette.
Social media erupted, with fans calling the makeover “depressing,” “soulless,” and even a “war crime” against nostalgia. While the 2018 renovation added high-end luxury, including a full-sized indoor sports court and a state-of-the-art movie theater, it lacked the magic that made Kevin McCallister’s battleground feel like home.
Bringing Back the Magic
The new owners, who purchased the 9,126-square-foot mansion for over the asking price, have hired local project manager Scott Price to lead a massive restoration project. The goal? To bridge the gap between the real-life luxury home and the iconic movie sets.
“Our vision is to bring back the warmth and just the love from the movie,” Price told NBC Chicago. “There were so many great colors and it just made you feel like family… we want to bring that magic back.”
What to Expect in the Restoration:
- A Return to Color: Say goodbye to the white-washed walls. The new design aims to reintroduce the rich palettes and patterns seen in the film.
- The Iconic Entryway: While the grand staircase remained largely intact, the surrounding decor will be tuned to match the 1990 aesthetic.
- Preserving Modern Perks: The restoration will likely keep the modern comforts (like that basement basketball court) while layering in the “McCallister vibe.”
Fun Fact: The Interior Mystery
Interestingly, while the exterior of the Winnetka house is the face of the franchise, most of the interior scenes in the original movie were actually filmed on a massive set built inside a nearby high school gymnasium. The real house was simply too small to fit a full camera crew and all those swinging paint cans!
However, the new owners are determined to make the real interior look like the one we’ve all grown up with on screen.
Are you a fan of the new restoration plans, or do you prefer the modern look? Let us know in the comments!
