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Macaulay Culkin has revealed that when the real-life “Home Alone” house came on the market in May, he considered buying it “for the giggles”.
Macaulay Culkin has revealed that he came incredibly close to stepping into the shoes of his famed “Home Alone” character Kevin McCallister by buying the iconic Illinois mansion that is featured in the hit holiday movie.
According to Realtor, the 44-year-old actor and musician confessed during a recent stop on his “A Nostalgic Night With Macaulay Culkin” tour that he considered purchasing the Winnetka property that serves as the family home of the McCallisters when it came on the market in May for $5.25 million (A$7.9 million).
“I had half a mind to buy it — just for giggles,” Culkin told the audience at the Rosemont Theatre in Illinois, according to the New York Times.
He imagined turning the fictional home into a “movie fun house” where people could sled down the stairs just like Kevin does in the movie, he said.
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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 01: (L-R) Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song attend the ceremony honouring Macaulay Culkin with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 01, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
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Sadly, that scenario didn’t come to pass.
“I got kids. I’m busy, man,” explained Culkin, who shares two children with partner Brenda Song.
Culkin became a global sensation after playing Kevin in the first two movies in the “Home Alone” franchise, which quickly became a cult holiday classic. President-elect Donald Trump even made a cameo in its second New York City-based instalment.
Macaulay Culkin considered buying the Winnetka, IL, home featured in “Home Alone.” (Picture: Realtor.com)
The renovated residence features over 9,000 square feet of space. (Picture: Realtor.com)
A chef’s kitchen with dual islands. (Picture: Realtor.com)
“Home Alone” tells the story of 8-year-old Kevin, who is left behind accidentally when the rest of his family leaves for an international trip to Paris. He is then tasked with defending his home from bungling burglars (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). The kid outwits their plan to rob the place, and antics abound.
The original 1990 movie grossed an astonishing $476.7 million worldwide, the second highest-grossing movie of that year, losing out the top spot to Demi Moore‘s hit movie “Ghost.”
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The home has since been renovated and was listed on the market in May 2024.
The movie grossed an astonishing $476.7 million worldwide.
The movie used only the exterior of the townhouse. The interior was a movie set. (Picture: Realtor.com)
Renovated residence
The stately suburban space was renovated and expanded in 2018, and now offers five beds, six baths, and 9,126 square feet of living space.
After changing hands in 2012 for $1,585,000, the brick residence returned to the market this past May, completely renovated and with a boost in asking price to $5.25 million.
A sneak peek of the five-bedroom, six-bathroom home on Instagram showcases it as “a piece of American history.”
The New York City townhouse featured in “Home Alone 2” was sold last month. (Picture: Realtor.com)
The 1880s townhouse has been completely renovated. (Picture: Realtor.com)
While there are some downsides to owning a famous movie home, industry experts insisted when the property went up for sale that there were far more positives than negatives.
“The house is well priced for its size and condition,” real estate agent Cara Ameer told Realtor.
“The celebrity factor of this home, being featured in such a popular and legendary movie, also adds to the overall value. It is one of those homes people will want to drive by to see if they know the movie and the area where it was filmed.”
Fellow real estate agent Jason Gelios agrees, explaining that the star power of the home would only help it to find a buyer.
“Any time you have a famous name or movie associated with a property, it affects the value in a positive way,” he explains.
“The only way a property associated with someone famous would not sell for asking price would be if the property is distressed or in horrible shape.
“This often causes the property to sell for less than desired, no matter who is associated with the property.”
The “legendary holiday dream home,” as the listing describes it, is located in a Chicago suburb and was originally built in 1928.
The lower level includes a sport court, wet bar, and home theatre. (Picture: Realtor.com)
The upscale interiors feature formal living and dining rooms. The family room has a coffered ceiling and French doors that lead to the backyard. Adjacent to the “magazine-worthy” kitchen with double islands and a built-in banquette is a second family room.
Other amenities include a “luxury” primary suite with a gas fireplace.
The lower level holds more delights, including a fully equipped gym, wet bar, and home theatre, along with an indoor sports court. With this fully loaded recreational space, Kevin would have been begging to stay home.
