To mark the 40th anniversary of This Old House, we mapped every project location from the series’ first renovation in Dorchester, MA in 1979 through the recent Brookline Mid-Century Modern project. Over four decades the show has documented more than 74 house projects, chronicling a wide range of architectural styles and restoration challenges.
This Old House has worked coast to coast, restoring and renovating Victorians, farmhouses, bungalows, brownstones and other historic and modern homes. Each project captures techniques, craftsmanship and design solutions that help homeowners everywhere tackle similar challenges.
Working at This Old House
I was part of the This Old House team from 2002 to 2008, based in New York City. At the time, the website and magazine operated under Time Inc., while the television production remained with WGBH in Boston.
Our online group was small compared with the print staff, yet we completed substantial work: we redesigned the website twice, launched sites for two shows including Ask This Old House and Find! with Leigh and Leslie Keno, and produced comprehensive online coverage for each project house. That coverage often included time-lapse videos, live webcams, and immersive virtual house tours that documented the entire renovation process.
During my tenure the show also underwent a major hosting transition, replacing long-time host Steve Thomas with Kevin O’Connor. At the time this change surprised many viewers since Kevin came from a finance background and had little on-camera experience.
Welcome Kevin O’Connor
The choice proved wise. Kevin O’Connor has since been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards and helped guide the program and brand to new levels of popularity. He brings an approachable presence and clear enthusiasm for home improvement that resonates with viewers.
Beyond his television work, Kevin has curated and celebrated many memorable projects. Fans will appreciate collections and photo-focused publications that showcase standout homes featured on the show, offering inspiration and a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship involved.
In interviews he often shares insights about the crew, favorite projects, and the problem-solving mindset that fuels every renovation.
House Project Locations
A look at the project map reveals a heavy concentration in New England, where multiple projects have been filmed in the same towns or regions over the years. The show frequently chooses a Boston-area house for its summer season, which keeps the team close to family and local businesses and aligns with a reliable summer weather window for construction work.
For longer projects running through other seasons, warmer climates are often selected—hence multiple projects across Florida, Southern California, and the Southwest. These regions allow extended outdoor work and smoother progress through fall and winter months.
The series has also taken its work overseas on occasion, with projects in London and Bermuda. While international projects are less common, they highlight the show’s willingness to tackle diverse building traditions and climates.
Note: the map points indicate the general city or town of each project rather than exact street addresses, preserving homeowner privacy while still showing geographic patterns across the series.
House Project Setup
Over the years I visited more than ten This Old House projects. My role often involved arriving early to set up live webcams so we could stream construction activity. Those feeds, along with time-lapse sequences, allowed viewers to follow the full progression of each renovation.
In addition to video, we documented projects with thorough before-and-after photography and virtual house tours. These assets ensured that every important decision, technique and design outcome was preserved and shared, making each episode a lasting resource for homeowners, contractors and design enthusiasts.