In his latest project collaboration, Emmy Award-winning set and celebrity interior designer James Pearse Connelly has announced the restoration of the legendary Walsh House from the 1985 cult classic The Goonies.
The project, spearheaded by Connelly alongside the new homeowner and devoted Goonies superfan, Behman Zakeri, aims to bring the iconic house back to its 1980’s movie glory in time for the film’s 40th anniversary on June 7, 2025.
The house, located in Astoria, Oregon, became the home of one of the most iconic cinematic families, the Walshes, in The Goonies. Nearly 40 years later, it remains a beloved symbol of adventure, friendship, and nostalgia for fans worldwide. Behman Zakeri, a self-proclaimed “Goonie,” purchased the house in January 2023 and tapped the expertise of Connelly, and his design firm JPConnelly, to lead the project in helping bring his bold vision to life, with plans to undergo the major restoration starting in February.
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In preparation for this iconic project, Connelly and his team have researched and
extensively studied the film in detail, as well as visited the USC Cinematic Arts Library
Archives, which houses original drawings, materials and files from the film. This includes matching every colour and detail in the house exactly to the movie, like painting the walls beige, carpeting over the hardwood floors, and recreating the famous Rube Goldberg that was featured in the film. Connelly is dedicated to ensuring that every detail—from the smallest prop to the larger architectural features to the custom-printed period wallpaper— remains true to the original film.
The restoration will also feature vintage furniture, a crowd-sourced effort to locate rare props and a kitchen revival that mirrors the beloved 1980s aesthetic. The full-scale restoration will span three levels of the approximately 2600 square-foot house, renovating 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, the attic and kitchen, as well as the 1,000-square-foot exterior, ensuring that both fans and visitors experience the
full Goonies magic.
The deadline for the restoration project is set to be completed and unveiled by June 7th, 2025. Zakeri plans to open up the fully restored Goonies house to fans and visitors during the town’s annual Goonies Day 2025 celebration, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the film.
For more information about the restoration and to stay updated on progress, follow the
journey on James’ social media @JPConnelly, along with the hashtag
#GooniesHouseRestoration
