For millions, the grand Georgian house at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Chicago, is the instantly recognisable home of Kevin McCallister. For former owner John Abendshien, it was simply home – a fact that transformed his life when the property became the central set for the 1990 Christmas classic, Home Alone.
From Family Home to Film Set
John Abendshien purchased the five-bedroom property in 1989 for $875,000, drawn in by its abundant natural light and distinctive shape. Little did he know that within a year, director Chris Columbus would describe the house as both "warm and menacing" – a duality Abendshien only understood upon seeing the finished film. "When I saw the scene where Kevin prepares for battle, with John Williams' score and those eerie lights, I thought yes, I get the 'menacing' bit now!" he told The Independent.
The film's connection to the area was no accident. Screenwriter John Hughes, who grew up nearby, favoured the North Shore's Norman Rockwell-ian atmosphere of tree-lined streets for his relatable community settings. This led location scout Jacolyn Bucksbaum, who had worked with Hughes before, to Abendshien's door.
Life with a Movie Family
When filming began, the Abendshien family initially moved out, but soon returned to a designated "movie cave" within their own home. This gave them a front-row seat to the production and a chance to bond with the cast. Abendshien recalls the ensemble as becoming like family.
"Catherine O'Hara is the quintessential mom," he said, noting how she took his six-year-old daughter under her wing. "Dan Stern is a prankster in real life, and loved to hang out with the kids. Joe Pesci was more serious, but very nice and gracious." The only rule? During exterior shoots, the family had to crawl past windows to avoid being seen – a manoeuvre Abendshien compared to his army days.
The Aftermath: Fishbowl Living and a Lasting Legacy
The film's unprecedented success turned the house into a global pilgrimage site overnight. Fans pressed their faces to the windows, and to this day, hundreds visit daily, often causing road closures during holidays. "Sometimes you felt intruded upon. It was like living in a fishbowl," Abendshien admitted.
The film's influence extended beyond tourism, shaping interior design trends across America. Before its release, popular paint colours were muted mauves and blues. Afterwards, Benjamin Moore saw a surge in deep Arroyo Red and Forest Green – shades used on the film's temporary, eye-wateringly festive wallpaper that Abendshien was relieved to see removed.
Despite the initial intrusion, Abendshien's perspective shifted. He began engaging with fans and discovered a shared joy. "I reached a point where I started chatting people up... The conclusion I came to is that at a time when politically we're a very polarised society, comedy brings us all together," he reflected. He sold the house in 2012 for $1,585,000, but the experience inspired his new memoir, Home But Alone No More.
For Abendshien, the legacy of 671 Lincoln Avenue is one of unexpected community and the unifying power of a beloved story, proving that a house can be much more than just a home.
