Everything to Know about ‘the Brady Bunch’ House, the Second Most Photographed Home in USA

In August 2018, HGTV set out to match the interior of the Brady home with the set we came to know and love on the classic show.

Not everyone knew that the set used in the popular '70s show was miles away from the actual inside of the home shown on our screens for exterior shots. If we gave it a little thought though, we'd realize what was going on.

Facts about the real Brady house

For decades, the property at 11222 Dilling Street in Los Angeles was photographed by fans of the all-American family show. So much so, it is second only to the White House as the most photographed home in the nation.

The house features an open concept and has just three bedrooms, two of which are master suites. It reportedly sits on 2,477 square feet, yet the total area of the land is 0.29 acres, a formidable size.

Inside, the colors and designs are reminiscent of the '70s — but that's about the only similarities it has with the sound stage where "The Brady Bunch" was actually filmed.

It falls in line with the home's history. Built in 1959, the property aptly reflected the retro and patterned designs of its time, that is, before it was renovated this year.

HGTV paid millions for it

In mid to late 2018, a bidding war for the so-called "Brady home" began. Participants included HGTV and former cast member of "The Brady Bunch" Maureen McCormick.

In the end, HGTV came out victorious and bought the home through Douglas Elliman Real Estate for almost double the original asking price at $3.5 million.

"Property Brothers" stars Andrew Alfred Scott and Jonathan Scott would take the lead on the project titled "A Very Brady Renovation." It perfectly synced up with the show's 50th anniversary.

HGTV stars helped with the renovations

Thankfully, the brothers did not have to work alone as they attempted to build an interior just like that of Stage 5 in Paramount Studios where "The Brady Bunch" was filmed.

Andrew and Jonathan are a Canadian duo, but the twins loved "The Brady Bunch" as much as any American. Thus, they set out to recreate the home with the help of their fellow realtors, designers, and renovators.

Karen E. Laine and daughter Mina Starsiak Hawk from "Good Bones" joined the clan, as did siblings Steve and Leanne Ford from "Restored by the Fords."

Jasmine Roth from "Hidden Potential" and Lara Spencer of "Flea Market Flip's also lent their skills to the projects. The crew would have to look at reruns of the show since they had no floor plans.

"The Brady Bunch" clan also reunited for the project

However, their most valuable resource came in the form of the cast themselves. After 15 years, McCormick, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, and Mike Lookinland reunited once more.

The kids of "The Brady Bunch" provided invaluable input about the set they worked on, and also got a chance to catch up with each other after years of separation.

The six months it took to renovate the house was also perhaps the most time the actors spent in the property. Back in July, they shared their experience at The Television Critics Association press tour.

The cast finally revealed the truth behind the iconic house

Knight, who played Peter Brady, revealed that he didn't even know where the house was located until 1996. He claimed that viewers likely didn't know either despite their attachment to the iconic home.

"So there was a disconnect that I didn't even know existed," he explained. Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady, had a slightly different experience.

The oldest Brady said that after "The Brady Brunch" was canceled, he unknowingly visited the house for lunch with a friend. When the friend told Williams he was in the Brady house, the actor simply said, "No."

Williams only believed it when he was taken outside and shown a picture of the Brady house for comparison. Little Cindy Brady, played by Susan Olsen, had more insight than her older castmates.

"I was a very literal child and I looked at that house and thought to myself, 'No way. That could never be the set. It's a one-story house,' " Olsen said. The young girl was fooled by producers who told her that the inside of the house was exactly the same as the set.

After years of confusion, Olsen's mom finally told her the producers "were just trying to shut [her] up." Meanwhile, McCormick saw the renovation as "chance of a lifetime" and Plumb knew it was "going to be good."

Fans stepped in to help with the replica

Plumb later explained that the work involved figuring out "the perspectives and the scale by looking at the show." The cast was fully involved in the project, donning tool belts as they worked to demolish and reconstruct the rooms.

Even the fans were involved. According to TV Insider, the network reached out to get vintage items such as a toaster and a curio cabinet that looked just like the ones from the original set.

Eventually, it all came together in perfect "Brady Bunch" harmony. Viewers can tune in on September 9 at 9 p.m., 8 p.m. central to see the final results on "A Very Brady Renovation."

One very lucky fan could spend a few nights there

Additionally, fans have a chance to spend six nights at the home, and get $25,000, by submitting a 30 to 90-second video saying why they deserve to win.

We'll surely enjoy seeing a real-life Brady home after all these years, but the best part will be seeing the bunch together again. "It's an excuse for us to be together," Williams said. We couldn't agree more.