Everything You Never Knew About Prince’s Childhood Home — Including What’s Next For It

From his music to his movies to his elaborate costumes, fans of Prince have tried to hold on to every piece of him that they can since his untimely passing in 2016. But while his Paisley Park mansion has become a wildly popular tourist attraction, his childhood home in North Minneapolis has been neglected.

The “Purple Rain” singer’s family purchased the home near the intersection of N. Upton Ave. and N. 8th Ave. in 1965. Prince lived there between the ages of 7 and 12. While he wasn’t there long, people who knew the artist then say it was where he found and developed his musical talent.

“If they only knew, they wouldn’t walk by here and just walk past. They’d go like, ‘Wow,’” Charles Smith, Prince’s second cousin told WCCO Minnesota in an interview.

Smith, who also grew up in the neighborhood, remembers coming by the yellow house where he would make music with Prince in his basement bedroom. But Smith had no idea that his cousin, who started copying the theme songs of their favorite television shows on the piano, would become a world-famous musician.

“I’d come by here every day. We’d sit down by the piano. I’d sit right next to him on the bench, and I’d start doing some beats and stuff, and Prince would be doing everything he could think of on the piano,” he said.

The city of Minneapolis granted the home landmark status in November 2025, protecting it from demolition or major remodeling. But according to The Minnesota Daily, the now-abandoned home is currently owned by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and its future is unknown.

“I have great concerns about its future,” historian Kristen Zschomler told The Minnesota Daily. “Until we figure out the ownership and who’s going to own it, it’s in peril.”

Zschomler, who grew up listening to Prince’s music wants to make sure fans can hold on to this important piece of Prince’s musical legacy.

“But for this place, he wouldn’t have become the artist that he was,” Zschomler told WCCO Minnesota.

Many online agree and say they hope the home can be turned a museum open to fans who want to connect with the legendary rocker’s past – and they have the perfect tour guide in mind.

“I hope they can save that home, and hire his cousin to give tours,” wrote someone on YouTube.