Hey, Horror Movie Buffs—You Can Own the “Silence of the Lambs” House for $299K
Thankfully, Buffalo Bill’s lair from the 1991 flick is not so creepy in person.
Horror movie buffs, take note: Hitting the market in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, is a Victorian-style home portrayed as the fictional residence of serial killer Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. The 1991 Academy Award–winning film starred Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee tasked with tracking down the suspect, played by Ted Levine. While professional stylists transformed the home into an eerie backdrop for the movie, today, thankfully, the place is much more inviting—and it even comes with a vintage train caboose in the backyard.
Built in 1910, this Victorian-style home had a starring role in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs. The 1.76-acre property—which also comes a decommissioned train caboose that doubles as a pool house—is located about 30 miles from downtown Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
In the movie, the home's dilapidated look plays into the narrative of Buffalo Bill, a fictional serial killer who commandeered the home from its owner. Movie stylists reportedly spent six weeks transforming the home’s interior and exterior—all of which looks decidedly different today.
Copyright Orion Pictures
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The home’s current owner purchased it in 2016 from a local couple who had owned the rural property for decades. Reportedly, a producer for the movie found the home while scouting locations in the Pittsburg area, later negotiating the property’s now-famous role in the movie. While some interior and exterior shots were filmed on site, others—including the infamous basement scenes—were mostly filmed on a custom set back in the city. The home does come with a full basement, but don’t worry: There’s no subterranean rock well or dungeon.
In one scene, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is invited inside the home by Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine).
Copyright Orion Pictures
A look at the foyer today reveals similar wallpaper as that shown in the film. The layout features a formal sitting room to one side, separated by large pocket doors.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Another view of the foyer shows more of the original staircase and woodwork. Producers for the movie reportedly selected the home for its straight-lined layout, with each of the next two rooms—the dining area and kitchen—also making an appearance in the scene.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
A clip from the movie shows the dining room in disarray.
Copyright Orion Pictures
The intricate fireplace and built-in china cabinet also appeared in the movie.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Offering just over 2,300 square feet of finished space, the three-story home comes with four bedrooms and one full bathroom, as well as a recently finished attic area. Original molding, hardwood floors, and light fixtures can be found throughout the interior.
Outside, the large property features an in-ground swimming pool and several detached buildings, including a converted garage that once served as the local train station along the Pennsylvania Railroad. Keep scrolling to see more of the home, currently listed for $298,500.
At the back of the home is the kitchen, which was remodeled after filming.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Tracing the floor plan back around toward the front of the home, a music room is located on the opposite side of the wall from the dining area and is also accessible from the kitchen.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Another wide doorway with pocket doors separates the music room from the main living area at the front.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Upstairs, the home offers four bedrooms and one full bathroom. This bedroom features a fireplace, several closets, and a bay of windows overlooking the surrounding property.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
The charming full bathroom features a clawfoot tub, pedestal sink, and stained-glass window.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Another of the bedrooms is currently staged as a home office.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
A look at the sunlit attic space, which features newly refinished hardwood floors.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
The home’s basement provides several large areas for storage.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Outside, a wrap-around porch is ready for new buyers with recently refinished floors and details.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Another view of the porch reveals a side entrance to the home.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
An attached gazebo is accessible from a small porch near the kitchen. The property also comes with several detached structures.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
A three-car garage on the property was once the Layton Station General Store and Train Staation in the 1880s. The structure served as a stop along a railroad that borders the property.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Parked next to the swimming pool, a vintage train caboose nods to the property’s past and was originally intended to serve as a unique pool house.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
Inside, the train caboose retains many of its original features.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
While the front porch provides the perfect perch to watch passing trains, the current real agents note that exterior noise from the active railway is not prominent inside the home.
Photo by Alexis Zakis
8 Circle Street in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, is currently listed for $298,500 by Eileen Allan and Shannon Assad of Berkshire Hathaway HomeService.
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