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The Real-Life Ferrari House Behind Ferris Bueller's Day Off

architecture-design · 2026-06-11

Architectural Digest reveals the story behind the iconic Ferrari house from Ferris Bueller's Day Off on its 40th anniversary. The glass-walled property, designed by architect A. James Speyer in 1963, is located in Highland Park, Illinois. The film's production team used a replica Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder for the famous scene where the car crashes through the glass garage. The real house, known as the Ben Rose House, was built for industrial designer Ben Rose and his wife Frances. The property features a minimalist design with floor-to-ceiling windows and a cantilevered concrete roof. The house was listed for sale in 2019 for $2.5 million and remains a landmark of mid-century modern architecture.

Key facts

  • The Ben Rose House was designed by architect A. James Speyer in 1963.
  • The house is located in Highland Park, Illinois.
  • The film Ferris Bueller's Day Off was released in 1986.
  • The car used in the crash scene was a replica Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder.
  • The house was built for industrial designer Ben Rose and his wife Frances.
  • The property features a minimalist design with floor-to-ceiling windows.
  • The house was listed for sale in 2019 for $2.5 million.
  • The article was published by Architectural Digest in 2026.

Entities

Artists

  • A. James Speyer
  • Ben Rose
  • Frances Rose

Institutions

  • Architectural Digest

Locations

  • Highland Park
  • Illinois
  • United States

Sources