Directed by Donald Petrie, “Richie Rich” is a comedy about its titular protagonist, a boy who leads an enviable life. However, he has no friends and his parents unexpectedly disappear on a random day. He begins to suspect a family worker and seeks the company of a group of young people who might help him solve the case. This comedic film is very enjoyable to watch, mainly due to Macaulay Culkin’s endearing portrayal of Richie and his life that takes place in an exquisite mansion cradled in a picturesque location. Now, if you want to know where it was filmed, we have updates for you!
Richie Rich Filming Locations
“Richie Rich” was filmed in parts of North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois and California. Filming began on May 6, 1994 and ended on August 23, 1994. Are you curious to know more about the filming process? Let’s dive!
Asheville, North Carolina
Richie Rich’s mansion in the film is the Biltmore Estate, the largest private estate in the country. It was built in the 1890s for magnate George Washington Vanderbilt II. Following regular visits to Asheville, Vanderbilt II was charmed by the spectacular scenery, so he built his summer residence there. Known as his “little mountain getaway”, the architecture reached its final form in the mid-1890s, but was finally opened to friends and family on Christmas Eve 1895.
Although the Chateauesque-style mansion primarily serves as the backdrop in the film, the aesthetic largely suits the theme. That said, “Richie Rich” makes some tweaks to the location to stay true to the script. Contrary to what appears, the mansion’s backyard doesn’t actually have a roller coaster. Productions such as ‘Swan’, ‘The Last of the Mohicans’, ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Hannibal’ were filmed at this stately property located at 1 Approach Road in Asheville. Several other scenes for the film were shot in Charlotte, located 131 miles east of Asheville.
Chicago, Ill.
Besides the Asheville mansion, part of the film was shot on a set in Chicago. Known as Windy City and Chi-town, this up-and-coming city was one of the filming locations for “Richie Rich.” There is a fencing scene that took place at DePaul University’s Cortelyou Commons, located at 2324 North Fremont Street on the university’s campus.
With over approximately 23,000 students, DePaul is the largest Catholic university in America located at 2400 North Sheffield Avenue. The roller coaster in the backyard, which appears to be part of the mansion, is actually the old Iron Wolf standing roller coaster from Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois.
Beverly Hills, California
A few scenes were also shot in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles County. The neighborhood has been popularized over the years as a commercial center and a home for the privileged. Since the 1950s, it has resisted its reputation as a glamorous place. It served as a filming location for a few popular TV shows such as “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Beverly Hills, 90210”. In the movie “Richie Rich”, the Greystone Park & ​​Mansion located at 905 Loma Vista Drive makes an appearance.
Gary, Indiana
The production team traveled to Gary, Indiana to film some scenes. The city is most famous for its massive steelworks and its historic connection to the Jackson family. “Richie Rich” was filmed at Gary Municipal Airport, located at 6001 West Industrial Highway. It is a public civil-military airport located five kilometers northwest of Gary.
Read more: The best films of the 1990s
