A pastel-colored Victorian home in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood is getting national attention—but not for the reasons its owners might have hoped.
The iconic Candyland House is competing on HGTV’s “Ugliest House In America” for a chance at a $150,000 makeover.
Homeowners Joe Bergantino and Ricky Gonzalez say they’re embracing the quirky opportunity, even if they strongly disagree with the show’s premise.
Season 7’s first episode premiered Wednesday and is now streaming on HBO Max and discovery+.
From Neighborhood Icon to National TV
When HGTV reached out in late 2024, Bergantino and Gonzalez had no idea what they were signing up for. Learning their beloved home would appear on “Ugliest House In America” brought an unexpected reaction.
Of course, we started laughing.
The couple purchased the whimsical property at 1525 W. Pratt Blvd. in 2022, inheriting a legacy of artistic expression that spans decades. Built in 1891, the Victorian home became famous under previous owners Jackie Seiden and the late Don Seiden, who transformed every surface into a pastel paradise—some rooms even feature glitter-specked paint.
Bergantino and Gonzalez have been documenting their restoration journey on Instagram, maintaining a promise to the Seidens to “keep the funkiness.”
Defending Candyland’s Character
While the show’s title might suggest otherwise, these homeowners stand firmly behind their property’s exterior aesthetics.
We don’t think that the exterior of the house is ugly at all. We love it, but the inside, yeah, definitely needs some work.
The show follows host Retta touring “ugly” houses nationwide before designer Alison Victoria from “Sin City Rehab” transforms one lucky winner. Even if Candyland House wins, Bergantino promises one thing won’t change.
We’re keeping true to it, and no chance in hell would the renovation ever be black, white, gray or beige.
Behind The Scenes of Filming
Production descended on Candyland House in June, just months after the couple learned they’d been selected. Camera crews spent 12 hours capturing every colorful corner, though viewers will only see approximately five minutes of footage.
Bergantino suspects the bathrooms will feature prominently—areas that particularly showcase the home’s need for updating. Even as homeowners, they remain in suspense about what made final cut.
Strategic Pause on Renovations
Once confirmation came through, Bergantino and Gonzalez made a calculated decision: stop all renovation work immediately.
While HGTV didn’t explicitly prohibit improvements, the couple reasoned that maintaining current conditions gave them the best shot at winning. Why make things look better when competing for “ugliest house” status?
This strategic pause had unexpected benefits. After years of dedicating every spare moment to construction projects, suddenly they had time for life again.
For the past year, I had time to learn how to paint, and we both got really into 3D printing. We just had all this time that we haven’t had in years to pick up all these other hobbies.
Followers on their Instagram account noticed the reduced posting frequency in July. The couple hinted at behind-the-scenes developments—now revealed as their HGTV appearance.
What’s At Stake
The numbers tell a compelling story about why this opportunity matters.
- Without winning: 10 years estimated to complete desired renovations
- With $150,000 makeover: Just 6 weeks to transformation
- Current timeline: Indefinite pause since June filming
Beyond accelerated timelines and financial support, winning would restore something precious the couple didn’t realize they’d lost until recently.
Now that we’ve had a taste of free time again, being able to get back to that some sort of semblance of balance where not everything is construction, that would be great.
A Community Landmark’s Future
When the Seiden family listed Candyland House in 2021, neighborhood residents worried about its future. Would new owners strip away the vibrant eccentricity that made this Victorian special?
Bergantino and Gonzalez have proven those fears unfounded. Their commitment extends beyond preservation—they’re actively restoring and enhancing Candyland’s magical character while addressing practical needs.
Whether they win “Ugliest House In America” or not, this couple’s dedication ensures Rogers Park’s most colorful landmark will continue delighting passersby for generations. The show simply offers a faster path to making the interior match the exterior’s charm.
Season 7 unfolds over coming weeks, with one house ultimately selected for Alison Victoria’s design expertise. For Bergantino and Gonzalez, the wait continues—though they’re certainly not holding their breath in beige.