It is not a home for someone wishing to hide away, but this famous structure is perfect for anyone who loves history, movies, home-improvement shows and the best view in town. The rambling 1874 Victorian, set atop a hill overlooking the city’s business district, is the most visible and best-known in the town of Wetumpka and it’s on the market.

The real estate agent says it would make the 3,754 square-foot home is perfect for a short-term rental, wedding venue or “dream residence.” It is listed for $899,000.

Known locally as the “Big Fish” house, it served as the home of Edward Bloom (played by Albert Finney) and Sandra Bloom (portrayed by Jessica Lange) in the 2003 film “Big Fish.” The movie, filmed mostly in South Alabama, was based on the book “Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions” by Birmingham native Daniel Wallace. In addition to Finney and Lange, it starred Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito and Steve Buscemi.

Moving on

The “Big Fish” house, currently owned by Shellie Phelps-Whitfield, director of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce, went on the market Tuesday, listed with Moore Company Realty in Montgomery.

“It’s time to move on,” she said Thursday from her office.

Phelps-Whitfield said her children are grown and she currently lives in the large home at 401 East Bridge Street alone. She said the house is set on an acre and includes a swimming pool.

“It is no longer the best use for it to be a one-person residence,” she said. “We’re between a rock and a river and we don’t have that many buildings downtown that are not spoken for. The best use would be for something else for people to use, or a fabulous residence, but it needs to be for more than just me.”

The home was altered for the movie – a second floor was added by director Tim Burton to give the home more presence.

The listing

Gene Cody, president of Moore Company Realty, said the agency is casting a wide net to find the home’s perfect new owners.

The house was renovated as part of the HGTV show “Home Town Takeover,” hosted by Ben and Erin Napier. At that time, Cody said, the living room was renovated “to resemble scenes from the movie, including original shutters, wallpaper and artwork from the movie.”

Whoever purchases the home will have “availability of furnishings and pieces from HGTV staging,” the listing says.

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Additional features listed on the company’s website:

• Historic Victorian home with significant architectural presence;
• Incorporation of historic elements in the staircase railing;
• Beautiful, renovated kitchen with large pantry;
• Beautiful sparkling pool;
• 22-foot ceilings on the second floor (added for film production);
• Huge walk-in shower and large soaker tub in upstairs bathroom;
• Views of the Coosa River and multiple lighted walking paths.

Anyone interested in the home can contact Gene Cody at [email protected] or sales agent Perry Patino at [email protected].