Rob McElhenney owns a custom-built compound in Brentwood, Los Angeles, designed by architect Steve Giannetti and interior designer Kishani Perera. The property features a main house, pool house, and guesthouse that doubles as an office. McElhenney and his wife, actress Kaitlin Olson, built the home from scratch after selling their Sherman Oaks property in 2017. His childhood home at 1406 E Moyamensing Avenue in Philadelphia’s Pennsport neighborhood appeared on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” as Mac’s Mom’s house, but was completely demolished and rebuilt in 2022.
You know Rob McElhenney as the creator of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and co-owner of Wrexham AFC. But where does the actor actually live? His real estate journey tells a story of success, from his humble Philadelphia beginnings to his current luxury compound in one of LA’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
Rob McElhenney’s Brentwood LA Compound
McElhenney lives in Brentwood, a wealthy neighborhood on LA’s Westside. He shares the custom-built compound with his wife, Kaitlin Olso,n and their two sons, Axel Lee and Leo Grey. The couple married in 2008 and designed their dream home with help from renowned architect Steve Giannetti and designer Kishani Perera.
The property includes three distinct structures. The main house serves as the primary living space. A large pool house provides additional room for relaxation and entertainment. The guesthouse functions as a flexible office space where McElhenney can work on scripts, take production calls, and manage his various business ventures.
The home features a modern farmhouse aesthetic. Large glass doors connect the interior spaces to the backyard, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. One unique feature is a small guesthouse designed to look like a log cabin, built to remind McElhenney of his childhood in Pennsylvania.
Inside the Brentwood Neighborhood
Brentwood ranks among LA’s most desirable communities. The neighborhood sits on the Westside of Los Angeles, bordered by Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, and West LA. Median home values reach $1.62 million, nearly six times the national average of $281,900. Median rent costs $2,974 per month compared to $1,268 nationally.
The area attracts major celebrities. LeBron James, Ben Affleck, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tom Brady all own homes in Brentwood. The neighborhood’s 35,000 residents enjoy tree-lined streets, proximity to top schools, and easy access to major studios. Past residents include Joan Crawford, Steve McQueen, and Marilyn Monroe.
Fire risk remains a concern. A massive wildfire destroyed nearly 500 homes in Brentwood and Bel Air in 1961. Fire authorities now designate large portions of Brentwood as a “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.” In January 2025, the Palisades Fire forced evacuations in parts of Brentwood. McElhenney confirmed his family’s safety on social media, noting that many homes in the area were destroyed.
The Sherman Oaks Property He Sold
Before building their Brentwood compound, McElhenney and Olson owned a home in Sherman Oaks. They bought the brand-new property in 2008 for $2.1 million. The East Coast traditional-style home sat behind gates on almost a quarter-acre lot.
The two-story residence spanned just over 4,000 square feet. It featured four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. High ceilings, skylights, dark-stained hardwood floors, and white walls created an elegant interior. The main floor included formal living and dining rooms, an office, and a guest bedroom with its own bathroom.
A great room stretched across the back of the home. It combined a family room with a vaulted ceiling, an informal dining area, and a white kitchen with marble countertops. Four sets of French doors opened to a flagstone patio, grassy yard, and saltwater pool surrounded by tropical plants.
The couple listed the Sherman Oaks home in 2017. It first hit the market at $2.75 million before dropping to $2.675 million. This sale likely funded their custom Brentwood build.
Rob McElhenney’s Philadelphia Childhood Home
McElhenney was born in 1977 and grew up at 1406 E Moyamensing Avenue in Philadelphia’s Pennsport neighborhood. Pennsport sits in South Philly near South Street and I-95. When McElhenney was young, the area was predominantly Irish. He could only travel three blocks in any direction from his house as a child.
His childhood home became famous for appearing on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The house served as Mac’s Mom’s house in multiple episodes. It first appeared in “Mac Bangs Dennis’ Mom” during Season 2, filmed in 2006. The porch scene showed Dennis trying to get revenge on Mac by pursuing his mother.
The house appeared in several other episodes:
- “Mac is a Serial Killer” (Season 3): Frank and Charlie investigate Mac’s childhood belongings
- “Dennis Looks Like a Registered Sex Offender” (Season 3): Mac puts a bow on his mom as a gift for his dad
- “A Very Sunny Christmas” (Season 5): Mac and Charlie dig through old toys
In Season 6, Mac’s Mom burns down the house in the show. This ended all references to McElhenney’s real childhood home on “It’s Always Sunny.”
The House Appeared on Welcome to Wrexham
The childhood home made one final TV appearance on “Welcome to Wrexham.” In the opening scene of the first episode, Rob visits Philadelphia with his dad and son. They explore the seemingly abandoned rooms of his childhood home. His son jokes about wanting an old iPod dock and a broken iPod they find inside.
This visit likely happened in late 2021 or early 2022. The scene highlighted McElhenney’s working-class roots and explained why he felt drawn to Wrexham, Wales. The contrast between his childhood home and his current LA mansion shows how far he’s come.
What Happened to the Philadelphia House
The McElhenney family no longer owns the childhood home. Public records show it was sold in 2001 to an unrelated owner. By 2008, the property was licensed for rentals.
In March 2022, a real estate development company bought the building. That same month, the company issued permits to completely transform the structure. The renovation destroyed the exterior that appeared on TV.
As of 2025, the house is unrecognizable. The original driveway now contains an entirely new house with a garage built over the original structure. Only a small part of the original home remains, likely preserved for permitting reasons. Fans of “It’s Always Sunny” can no longer visit the iconic filming location.
Design Features Worth Noting
McElhenney’s Brentwood compound reflects his personality and needs. The multiple structures allow for work-life balance. He can isolate himself in the office guesthouse when writing or conducting business, then return to family spaces when the workday ends.
The indoor-outdoor design suits Southern California’s climate. Large glass doors and outdoor living areas extend the usable space year-round. The pool area provides recreation for his two sons and two dogs.
The log cabin-style guesthouse serves as a nostalgic touch. It connects McElhenney to his Pennsylvania roots despite living in LA luxury. This detail shows he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
Property Value and Investment
Exact figures for McElhenney’s current home remain private. Based on comparable Brentwood properties, estimates range from $15 million to $20 million. Custom-built homes with multiple structures on large lots command premium prices in this neighborhood.
The Sherman Oaks property appreciated modestly. Purchased for $2.1 million in 2008 and listed for $2.675 million in 2017, it represented a reasonable gain over nine years. McElhenney likely rolled this equity into his custom Brentwood build.
Real estate in Brentwood consistently appreciates. The neighborhood’s scarcity of available land, celebrity appeal, and top schools support long-term value growth. Despite fire risks, demand remains strong among wealthy buyers seeking privacy and prestige.
Recent Wildfire Concerns
The January 2025 Palisades Fire threatened homes across LA’s Westside. The blaze affected more than 15,000 acres between Malibu and Santa Monica. CNN reported it as one of the most destructive fires to hit Los Angeles in over a decade, destroying roughly 1,000 properties.
Parts of Brentwood faced evacuation orders. McElhenney posted on social media: “Our family is safe. So many homes, whole neighborhoods are just… gone. Everyone in our lives is reaching out, which makes our hearts so full. An astonishing amount of bravery was displayed by the first responders going into hell to help. THANK YOU.”
The current condition of McElhenney’s home remains unknown. His statement confirmed that his family evacuated safely. Wrexham fans and club associates sent messages of support. Wrexham Police FC even organized a charity match to raise money for LA fire victims.
Final Thoughts
Rob McElhenney’s house journey reflects his career trajectory. He started in a modest South Philly rowhouse, moved to a Sherman Oaks traditional home, and now owns a custom Brentwood compound. Each property tells part of his story.
The childhood home at 1406 E Moyamensing Avenue no longer exists as fans remember it. Complete demolition and reconstruction erased its TV legacy. But McElhenney’s current Brentwood residence shows he hasn’t forgotten his roots. The log cabin guesthouse and down-to-earth design choices prove success hasn’t changed his values.
His real estate choices prioritize family, functionality, and privacy over flash. The custom build allowed him to create exactly what he needed: space for work, room for his family, and a reminder of Pennsylvania. That’s smart investing with personal meaning attached.
FAQ
Where does Rob McElhenney live now?
Rob McElhenney lives in Brentwood, Los Angeles, in a custom-built compound he designed with his wife, Kaitlin Olson. The property includes a main house, pool house, and guesthouse that serves as an office.
What happened to Rob McElhenney’s childhood home?
His childhood home at 1406 E Moyamensing Avenue in Philadelphia was sold to developers in March 2022. They completely demolished and rebuilt the property. The original structure that appeared on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” no longer exists.
How much is Rob McElhenney’s house worth?
While exact figures aren’t public, real estate experts estimate his Brentwood compound’s value between $15 million and $20 million based on comparable properties in the area. Brentwood’s median home value is $1.62 million.
Did Rob McElhenney’s house survive the LA wildfires?
McElhenney confirmed his family evacuated safely during the January 2025 Palisades Fire. He has not publicly disclosed whether his Brentwood home sustained damage. Parts of Brentwood faced evacuation orders as fires threatened the area.
What happened to Rob McElhenney’s Sherman Oaks house?
McElhenney and Olson sold their Sherman Oaks home after listing it in 2017. They purchased the 4,000-square-foot property for $2.1 million in 2008 and listed it for $2.675 million. They used the proceeds to help fund their custom Brentwood build.