Ferris Bueller Modernism

Plus, 20 Fresh Mid-Century Modern Home Listings

Sep 11, 2023

Close your eyes and imagine a red Ferrari 250 GT Spyder parked in a minimalist glass and steel garage, perched in some shady green woodlands. It sounds nice, right? If the setting feels familiar, you’re probably recalling scenes from the 1986 teen movie classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

The famous “Ben Rose House” garage, located in Highland Park, Illinois. Photo from Coldwell Banker Residential (Photographer Unknown)

The Ferrari from the film, owned by the father of Ferris’ best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck), was of course a replica. In fact, three different replicas, created by a firm called Modena Designs, would be deployed (and crashed) during filming. The stunning modern home, however, was 100% real.

Located at 370 Beech Street, Highland Park, Illinois, the home was known locally as the Ben Rose House before its Hollywood moment. Rose, a textile artist and car collector, lived in the home until 2009. The space was designed by architect A. James Speyer, a student of the renowned Mies van Der Rohe.

Famous cameo aside, the 1953 home is impressive on its own merit. Commercial grade steel beams suspend the house over the forrest floor, while floor-to-ceiling glass windows open up views from all directions. Obviously built with the car enthusiast in mind, the property features a truly unique garage, with space for up to four classic cars. Ben Rose reportedly stored various BMWs, Porsches, and even a Bugatti there over the years.

A still from 1986 the 1986 film *Ferris Bueller’s Day Off* | *Paramount Pictures.*

According to Curbed Chicago, The home was last sold in 2014 and underwent an extensive restoration in 2017. The project, led by architect Jim Baranski, aimed to preserve the architectural pedigree of the home while making critical updates to enhance the structure’s longevity, efficiency, and practicality.

“We know it was in a movie and that’s cool, but the house is a piece of history of that line between Mies van der Rohe and midcentury modern architecture.”
-Jim Baranski of Baranski Hammer Moretta & Sheey