While You Were Sleeping is a 1995 romantic-comedy featuring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. The film revolves around a lonely transit worker called Lucy(Sandra Bullock), who pulls her long-time crush Peter (Peter Gallagher) from the path of an oncoming Chicago L train.
At the hospital, doctors report that he’s in a coma, and a misplaced comment from Lucy causes Peter’s family to assume that she is his fiancée. When Lucy doesn’t correct them, they take her into their home and confidence. Things get even more complicated when she finds herself falling for Peter’s sheepish brother, Jack (Bill Pullman).
Anyone who has seen the movie will likely recognize the While You Were Sleeping house which features prominently throughout the movie. Much of the movie actually takes place on location inside the house and not on a sound stage, as you will see later.
THE HISTORY OF THE WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING HOUSE
The property used in the movie is located at 203 8th Avenue, in La Grange, Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1898, the home features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms 3,853 square feet of living space.
Prior to featuring in ‘While You Were Sleeping‘, the home had no significant history. It was just a typical Chicago home that the movie makers like the look of.
THE HOUSE IN THE MOVIE
As the interior scenes were shot on location, the family living in the property had to move out while filming was taking place.
A lady name Kristine said: “We had to move out for most of the shooting and we were living down the street. Everyone was so nice. The snow was all fake and we were the only house on the block with it.
“They redid some of the interior for the movie but most of it is the same. All the interiors were actually my house too. None of them were sets. Shortly after the movie, my parents put an addition on the side of the house.”
In this scene with Bill Pullman sitting on the stairs, you can see distinctive wallpaper lining the walls. The wallpaper is still on the walls in 2018, as you will see later in the post.
THE WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING HOUSE TODAY
In 2018 the property went on the market for the first time since While You Were Sleeping was filmed there in 1995. The property eventually sold for $926,023. Below are some of the photos from the 2018 listing of the property.
The wallpaper on the stairs when the house sold in 2018 is the exact same wallpaper that was up in 1995 and seen in the movie. The rest of the house seems to have been updated somewhat since the movie.
This room also featured in the movie (scroll back up to movie photos), the sofa, rug, and table have long since changed, however, the wallpaper appears to still be the same, all these years later.
More of that distinctive wallpaper on the landing, amazing that it survived all these years since the movie was filmed.
This is what the listing said in 2018:
Wonderful La Grange home designed by John Tilton (1898), located in the Historic District. Beautiful 4-bedroom home starred in the movie “While You Were Sleeping.” This charming residence beckons you to enjoy the large wraparound porch and sits on a large lot 100 x 139.
Gracious foyer, high ceilings throughout, stunning molding detail, original pocket doors, hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces, large updated eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances opens to the family room. Finished 3rd floor, the envy of many. Located close to award-winning schools, commuter train, and downtown area. The owner has original blueprints of the home.