Welcome to Movie Mondays, a weekly series that takes a closer look at our favorite houses from film and television. Last week I had lots of people visiting my site, looking for “the house for sale from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” I assumed it was the house Ferris lived in, but it turns out it was his friend Cameron Frye’s contemporary that has hit the market. (Thanks to Bonnie for sending me the info!) Today I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the two houses in the classic 1986 comedy, and then I’ll show you what Cameron’s house looks like today
Ferris Bueller’s House
Ferris Bueller’s house was supposedly in a Chicago suburb. I read that this exterior was actually in Long Beach, California. It was also featured in the thriller “Red Dragon” and the comedy “Not Another Teen Movie.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick) in his bedroom, pretending to be too sick to go to school:
Ferris’s sister Jeanie (Jennifer Grey) in the front hall (ever think it was strange that the parents named one kid something really unusual like Ferris, and his sister plain old “Jean”?):
Sometimes I forget how much wallpaper we lived with in the ’80s. Then I see sets like this stairwell…
The kitchen is classic 1986. Check out those fluorescent lighted ceiling tiles and the gold fridge. Boy, does this take me back to my childhood!
Jeanie’s room:
Cameron Frye’s Contemporary House:
We only get one interior shot of Cameron’s cool house: his darkened bedroom:
Cameron’s garage, which is detached from the house:
Cameron’s father’s famous red Ferrari 250 GT Spyder:
Cameron Frye was played by Alan Ruck, who now has a role as Dean Bowman on the TV show “Greek.” Have you seen that show? It was recommended to me, so I’ve been watching Season One on DVD and it’s really cute and fun. In an episode I saw today, Dean Bowman pulled up in a red convertible similar to this one, then turned to his date and called her Sloane (which is the name of Ferris’s girlfriend in this movie, played by Mia Sara). Loved that little inside joke!
Here’s the car, crashing through the window of the garage, and plunging into the ravine. Oops. (I always feel like poor Cameron got the short end of the stick in the movie. Not such a great day for him!)
Now here are the photos from the real estate listing for Cameron’s house, which is on the market today for $2.3 million. Unlike the house used for the Bueller family, Cameron’s really is in Illinois (Highland Park):
The house has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, and 5,300 square feet.
The three-car detached garage:
Known as the Ben Rose Home, the two-building structure was constructed mostly of steel and glass. It was designed by architects A. James Speyer and David Haid in 1953 and sits atop a wooded ravine.
To read more about it and see the rest of the photos, go to the MLS listing. If you’re a fan of Matthew Broderick’s, check out the Hamptons house he shares with wife Sarah Jessica Parker.
* Edited to add: “The Today Show” just did a piece about the house. You can watch the video here.
If you love looking at houses from the movies as much as I do, then visit Houses Onscreen to see a list of all the ones I’ve covered so far–and suggest ones for the future!
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This house reminds me of the Cullen’s house in Twilight!
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Hi Julia. Thanks for choosing this great film for Movie Monday. Every time I was Ferris, I want to take full advantage of every day. As for my taste in homes, I prefer traditional over contemporary; it’s great to see such contrast in a single movie and interesting that the contemporary home is on the market. Thanks again, and have a great week! ~Arleen
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This is one of my favourite movies, but I must say I do not care for Cameron’s house at all. Seems really sterile and not homey at all. I sure wouldn’t pay $2 million for it.
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I’de go for this house in a heart beat, too bad its way out of my price range. Thanks for sharing though, great find!
I’m fascinated by Cameron’s house. It did seem super cold & sterile in the movie but I love how completely unique it is! I have to go look at the MLS listing for more photos of it.
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Loved that movie. When it came out I remember standing in line forever. I never had the nerve to do what Ferris, Cameron and Sloane but I loved living thru them! I’d love to see the Fry house in person.
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one of my all-time favorite movies! thanks for the peek.
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What a stunning property. I have a fantasy of myself as the kind of person who is tidy enough and organized enough to live in a home like that. Never mind wealthy enough!
Why S?’s last blog post..When Trees Grow in Bad Places – Part II
All I remember about the movie (other than the parking attendants joy riding the Ferrari) is Cameron’s garage. But a 42X35 family room? That could be good.
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*sigh*… what a great memory shaker!!
LOL @ Why S– about having a fantasy about being that tidy… Oh my goodness, i dont even know if i would WANT to be.
Thanks for the great smiles!
TTFN~~Claudia
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I love traditional homes, but it is interesting to look at the contemporary ones.
I have to comment on the pictures of Jean’s room though, because I had the exact same bedding. It’s Laura Ashley Castleberry. I loved it. Actually, I have to say, for a young girl I still rather love it. But the wallpaper in the stairwell is hideous.
Thanks for the link, I was way to lazy to find it myself.
If Shauna buys it, will she have to give up throwing stones?
I came up with a bunch of silly trivia questions but though better of posting them and co-opting the comment string.
Thanks for posting this Julia. I heard about the sale of the glass house, last week, but haven’t had time to find out more.
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The Ben Rose house is the house of my dreams! Thanks Julia for the photos, quite fun to see this Monday morning.
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It would be like living in a tree house!
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What a FUN movie that was! Two FAB houses… I’m sure the decor has changed a bit in Ferris’ home… less wallpaper maybe!
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This is such a fun post!! I love Cameron’s house — it’s almost live you’re living right in the trees, with all those glass windows.
Actually, I don’t think it was such bad day for Cameron — even though Ferris had to force him to do everything, he did it and had fun. Up until the car scene!! But even then, he decided he wasn’t going to be intimidated by his dad anymore, so it was really a life-changing day for him
I’m sort of like Cameron, but I’m trying to be more like Ferris!!
Kelly @ DesignTies
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Love Ferris Bueller…LOVE the Bueller home. When that film came out, that is exactly how I wanted us to live someday! : )
Thank you for sharing these house gems with us…I always enjoy your movie sets!
I watched Alvin and the Chipmunks this weekend (withmy nephew) and LOVED Dave’s house! Sounds silly but I did! Love the setting and the architectural touches…many like that in LA. That would be a great one to do and not one people nesessaruly watch for decor tips! But I am ALWAYS looking at the decor! *laugh* Even with talking chipmunks around.
It looks like, in the 2nd picture of the kitchen, that there are glass spice jars in a small shelf under the island countertop. How cool is that???
wow… first of all, if you owned a terrain like this one, this is one beautiful demonstration of “thinking outside the box” for building a house – no pun intended.
and like the first lady said, it is very much like that in the movie “twilight” – a very spectacular way of living in nature, or bringing nature into your living.
my only negative comment about the cameron house, is that it’s very dated (to me it is). i think it would need some natural elements into the fabric of the interior, like stone or wood, to warm it up a little and bring it forward to this time period! i was just reading another blog last week which highlighted a similar type of house – very much in nature, and which shows what i mean! (i’ll give you the link in case you are curious! http://tinyurl.com/l4t8ht – it is a bit slow loading)
btw… cool blog julia! i very much enjoy it!
I love love love Ferris’s house. Perhaps its because me and Jean both shared the same Laura Ashley bedroom ensemble back in the 80’s, including the wallpaper? HAHAHA
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Wow! That would be great, I’m not sure my wife would want me to start acting like a teenager again. Which I would if I owned either of the homes.
Ferris’ kitchen must have been top of the line back then too. Funny! I really really love that Ferrari, and I am not even a car person. It’s just sexy! I love it when you show us movie houses!!
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Thanks for showing the house…it’s so neat! Not my style, but I still love it! That was one of the best movies ever!!!
~Kim
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I’m a little perplexed that there are gold appliances in the kitchen. In 1986? I always equate harvest gold with the 70s…am I wrong? I’m assuming that in a movie things would be “up to date”.
I’m also freaked out that this movie is 23 years old. That means I’m old.
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First, I wanted to say how unbelievably flattered I am that you stopped by my blog!! I have been “lurking” on yours for months and adore everything you put on here!
Second….FAVE movie, hands down. How cool is all this that you’ve posted about? Thanks for sharing!!
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I want Cameron’s house! And I also want to go watch the movie again.
I am digging the spice storage on the island in the Bueller kitchen!
What a fabulous post! I just loved this movie – we really are showing our age now! Tracey xx
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Julia,
Thanks for posting both Ferris’ and Cameron’s houses. I always wondered if the Ben Rose house was designed Mies van der Rohe and now I know. Whenever I think of Chicago, I think of this great movie.