A Kansas City entrepreneur and self-proclaimed superfan of the 1985 cult classic The Goonies has bought the Oregon home made famous by the film.
Behman Zakeri, 37, bought the $1.65 million Astoria, Oregon property to keep as a shrine to the beloved family film.
“The reason I’m buying it is for the community,” Zakeri said. “Someone has to be the caretaker, someone has to preserve the landmark. Someone has to keep it original and not be shown.’
Zakeri owns a business that sells trading cards and competes in poker tournaments, and describes himself as a “serial entrepreneur” on Instagram.
A Kansas City entrepreneur and self-proclaimed superfan of the 1985 cult classic The Goonies has bought the Oregon home made famous by the film
“This moment is completely surreal,” he added. “It was a childhood dream. Ever since I saw The Goonies when I was eight, I’ve dreamed of one day owning the Goonies’ house and finding One-Eyed Willy’s treasure, so this is incredible. It’s really.’
Zakeri and his wife Liz plan to split time between their Oregon home and their permanent home in Kansas City.
He adds that he doesn’t mind if people are like he’s been in the past, just traveling to take a spot selfie, noting that “goonies are welcome,” just hoping they remain respectful .
The house has been an attraction for fans of the film since its debut in 1985.
The city celebrates Goonies Day on June 7th, the film’s release date, and welcomes thousands of people to the event.
In 2015, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, over 1,500 daily visitors descended on the Oregon Coast property.
The home’s then-owner temporarily covered it with tarps and put up “no trespassing” signs.
Behman Zakeri, 37, bought the $1.65 million Astoria, Oregon property to keep as a shrine to the beloved family film
In 2015, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, over 1,500 daily visitors descended on the Oregon Coast property
“The reason I’m buying it is for the community,” Zakeri said of the home. “Someone has to be the caretaker, someone has to preserve the landmark. Someone has to keep it original and not be demonstrated.
The 1896 home, with expansive views of the Columbia River as it empties into the Pacific Ocean, was listed in November with an asking price of nearly $1.7 million
Astoria itself has taken steps to fine people who parked in illegal spots due to traffic, according to KING5.
The 1896 home, with expansive views of the Columbia River as it empties into the Pacific Ocean, was listed in November with an asking price of nearly $1.7 million.
According to public records, Zakeri’s offer was accepted six days after the house was listed.
“Once word spread that the property was for sale, we received multiple offers at the asking price and above, and we have a full back-up offer,” said Jordan Miller of John L. Scott Real Estate.
Seller Sandi Preston is passing on movie memorabilia that she has collected or received as gifts, and some of the furniture in the home, which has been restored to its original 1896 style, can also be sold to the buyer, according to Miller.
Zakeri and his wife Liz plan to split time between their Oregon home and their permanent home in Kansas City
The city celebrates Goonies Day on June 7th, the film’s release date, and welcomes thousands of people to the event
Adding that he doesn’t mind if people are like he’s been in the past, just traveling to take a spot selfie, Zakeri notes that “goonies are welcome,” just hoping they remain respectful
The film grossed $125 million at the box office and served as a launch pad for the careers of Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton and recent Golden Globe winner Ke Huay Quan
Preston was known for being largely welcoming to visitors. But she lived in the house and the constant crowds were a liability, prompting her to sometimes close it to foot traffic.
Based on a story by Steven Spielberg, the film follows a group of friends struggling to protect their homes from an expanding country club and looming foreclosure.
Along the way, they discover an ancient treasure map that will lead them on an adventure that will allow them to save their neighborhood, Goon Docks.
It grossed $125 million at the box office and served as a launchpad for the careers of Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton and recent Golden Globe winner Ke Huay Quan.