“That’s right, it stinks!” – Rocky Balboa wasn’t exaggerating about his humble beginnings.
If you’re on a Rocky filming locations tour in Philadelphia, Rocky’s house at 1818 Tusculum Street is a must-see. This Kensington neighborhood apartment was more than just a backdrop—it was where the Italian Stallion lived, trained, and even spent his first night as a married man.
Where Is Rocky’s House?
You’ll find Rocky’s apartment at the southern end of Tusculum Street in Philadelphia. It’s the same brick-front building where Rocky Balboa lived until early 1976—though, as he told Adrian, it was “only temporary.”
A Look Back: Rocky’s Apartment in the Movies
This Rocky Balboa apartment played a big role in the first two films:
- Rocky (1976): The cramped apartment was where Rocky lived alone before Adrian moved in, and, of course, where Butkus made himself at home.
- Rocky II (1979): After their wedding, Rocky carried Adrian into this very apartment for their first night as husband and wife.
- Rocky Balboa (2006): Decades later, the film revisited the location as Rocky and Paulie toured their old haunts.
Filming at 1818 Tusculum Street
This Rocky filming location has an interesting history. The house itself dates back to 1920, and in the 1970s, it was owned by a local resident named Eleanor O’Hey.
- During the filming of Rocky (1976), O’Hey was paid just $50 for the use of her home’s exterior.
- By the time Rocky II rolled around (after the first film’s blockbuster success), that price jumped to $500.
Wait… Was the Inside of Rocky’s Apartment Real?
Not quite. While O’Hey recalled that the crew used her living room for interior shots, the film’s producers say that the inside scenes were actually shot in Los Angeles—not Philadelphia.
The real interior was a flophouse in L.A., so rundown that the crew had to hide palm trees outside by placing a fake brick wall in front of the windows! This accidental touch made Rocky’s house look even more worn down.
One of the most iconic moments in the film—when Mickey (Burgess Meredith) begs Rocky to let him be his manager—was filmed inside this real, grimy L.A. apartment. Stallone’s raw “It stinks!” speech was improvised, and the bathroom reportedly smelled awful, making his performance even more believable.
The exact location of the L.A. interior remains unknown to this day.
Can You Visit Rocky’s House?
Yes, but with caution. 1818 Tusculum Street is in a residential area, and while fans love snapping photos, it’s important to be respectful of current residents. Even Stallone himself revisited the old place in 2018 during the filming of Creed II, taking a moment to reflect on Rocky’s start.
If you visit, you’ll still see the faint white “1818” numbers painted next to the door—even in 2025. And if you walk to the end of the street, you can spot the filming location where Frank Stallone sang as Rocky carried Adrian home after their wedding.
Warning: Some fans have reported feeling uncomfortable in the area, so it’s best to visit during the daytime, park at a distance, and avoid lingering too long.
