Historic c.1888 Joseph Thorp House in Cambridge, MA Sells for $7.4M

168 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, 02138

Update October 2017: Sold for $7,400,000 Update March 2017: Reduced to $8,800,000 An historic home with a storied past dating back to c.1888 on one of the most sought after streets in Cambridge, Massachusetts has sold for $7,400,000. It came on the market in December 2016 for $10,500,000 and was subsequently reduced to $9,500,000 and then $8,800,000 before selling. Designed by Arthur Little in c.1888, The Joseph Thorp House is a highly unconventional and eclectic Colonial Revival masterpiece with a nod to the Queen Anne style. It was built for Thorpe’s daughter, Sara Chapman Bull, after the death of her husband, Ole Bull, who was considered by many to be the finest violinist in the world. The property changed hands in 1907 when publisher Edwin Grozier purchased it, and remained in the Grozier family until 1963, when it was sold to the Episcopal Divinity School. Neighbourhood outcry prevented the 8,372 square foot home from being turned into a dormitory facility, and was eventually sold to the current owner, Former United States Ambassador to Austria, Swanee Hunt, in 1997. Hunt and her late husband, renowned conductor Charles Ansbacher, made substantial improvements to the grounds and interior spaces. The eclectic interior invokes all classical orders of design including Greco-Roman details and intricately carved teak salon by the American Aesthetic Movement’s Lockwood de Forest. In the southeast corner, the Library incorporates late 19th century Norwegian design with a traditional peasant hearth. The truly Classical dining room incorporates a Palladian bay of leaded glass and intimate “Poet’s Corner” adorned with and bas-relief on walls, domed ceiling and mantel delights. The French country kitchen houses the original Walker & Pratt cast-iron stove, modern prep island, sub-zero refrigerators and FiveStar range. There are a total of 10 bedrooms & 6 bathrooms throughout the home. The property was listed with Sotheby’s International Realty.