When your private home becomes a tourist magnet

Have you ever gazed at a charming mews house in London and thought, 'Living there must be a dream'?

You're not alone. But for those who call these homes their own, social media photography has redefined what it's like to reside in such a picturesque setting.

Alice Johnston, a longtime Notting Hill resident, lives in the famous London neighborhood known for its pastel-colored row houses and its appearance in the Julia Roberts/Hugh Grant movie of the same name.

Johnston, a journalist, has mixed feelings about her Instagram-famous neighborhood. Residing on Portobello Road, one of London's most iconic streets, she’s witnessed countless odd behaviors in the quest for the perfect Instagram shot.

Once, while walking his French bulldog, she and a friend were approached by a tourist who asked if they could 'borrow' the dog for a quick photo. The friend and dog agreed, the Instagrammer snapped a shot with the pup in front of a vibrant blue door, and then handed over five pounds as a token of thanks.

Private lives in public spaces

In that instance, everyone had a fun time.

However, there’s a more sinister side to living in what some people view as a movie set.

Johnston recalls being woken up at 6 a.m. on Easter Sunday by French teenagers taking photos outside her home.

She shares another story: 'Once, I was getting dressed after my shower, and an elderly man was standing outside taking pictures of my windows with an iPad.'

Although the shutters were closed at the time, the experience understandably left her shaken.

When private homes—and their residents—become tourist attractions, tensions can arise. While rural areas might install fences or barriers for privacy, what options do residents have when their homes are on public streets in some of the busiest cities in the world?

Different communities have found different solutions. In Hong Kong, a group of five interconnected apartment complexes known as 'the Monster Building' turned into a popular selfie spot after being featured in multiple Hollywood films, including 'Transformers: Age of Extinction.'

The massive building is located in Quarry Bay, a quiet neighborhood on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island that most tourists overlook.

Residents of this working-class neighborhood can’t block off the building because public businesses occupy the ground floors. As a result, some have resorted to posting signs urging visitors to show respect.

One sign, written in both English and Chinese, warns: 'This is private property. Trespassing is strictly prohibited, including activities such as photography, gatherings, drone usage, and loud noise. We are not responsible for any property damage or personal injury caused by accidents.'

Despite the signs, many tourists ignore them or treat them as mere suggestions. A quick glance at Instagram reveals plenty of recent photos taken at the site.

Johnston mentions that a pale-pink house near her home has become such a popular spot for photos that the owners have given up on stopping visitors. Instead, they’ve placed a donation box, encouraging people to contribute to charity in exchange for a photo opportunity.

When your home becomes a historical landmark

Chuck Henderson’s grandmother, Della, was passionate about architecture—so much so that she commissioned a house in California designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright.

Completed in 1951, the Mrs. Clinton Walker House in Carmel-by-the-Sea, affectionately known as 'the Cabin on the Rocks,' passed into Henderson’s hands and those of his relatives after Walker's death. Though no one lives there permanently, various family members and their guests take turns staying at the house.

Wright enthusiasts travel from all over the world to catch a glimpse of his architectural gems. While some, like the iconic Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, are open year-round, others remain private residences.

Homeowners of properties featured in architecture books often have to factor in the cost of security measures, in addition to regular expenses like utilities and insurance.

'We installed these security cameras after some vandalism about six or seven years ago,' Henderson recalls. However, the vandalism wasn’t graffiti.

He explains: 'We have a large wooden tree remnant that was placed as the centerpiece of the garden by the original landscape designer. Someone made a clean cut into it, like they used a chainsaw. One of our doors, between the carport and the main house, has a rope net of nautical cork discs that act as a counterweight. A few times, those discs have gone missing.'

Despite the thefts, Henderson and his family have the last laugh – those cork discs weren’t designed by Wright and are virtually worthless.

'People walk right by our 'private property, no trespassing' sign. We've had people dancing in our carport. Occasionally, a few people wander up unexpectedly, but as long as they don’t cause trouble, we don’t bother calling the police. We’re on a beach surrounded by roads, without a lawn, but we did have a family of deer visit.'

Finding common ground

When living in a frequently photographed location, some people choose to accept the ups and downs that come with it.

Johnston tries to empathize with the tourists visiting her hometown, recalling her own joy in photographing historic neighborhoods like Paris’s Marais and Lisbon’s Alfama.

In fact, she recently came across photos of herself as a teenager at the Notting Hill Carnival, long before she even moved to the city.

'I love to travel, so I try to be understanding when others visit my hometown. I feel fortunate that it’s cool enough that people want to come here,' she says.

Henderson and his family have struck a balance, allowing design enthusiasts to explore the house while still maintaining their privacy. They occasionally rent the property out for photo shoots, including a campaign by eyewear brand Oliver Peoples.

Additionally, they open the house to the public once a year, with proceeds benefiting the local Carmel Heritage Society. In 2021, 657 visitors bought tickets and toured the home.

'It’s a huge pleasure for us to share the house and see so many people thrilled and inspired by it,' Henderson says. 'It also lets us tell people when it’s open, giving them an option to visit without us having to be the Grinch.'

Despite the challenges, it’s unclear if any family member reconsidered taking care of such a high-profile property. In 2023, Henderson and his relatives decided to sell the house.