159 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA, 02138
About This Home
The iconic Hooper-Lee-Nichols House, built c.1685 and recognized as the second-oldest home in Cambridge, now seeks its next chapter. The three-story Georgian structure is distinguished by its central chimney and balanced proportions. Set on an expansive 18,012± sq. ft parcel, the house is sited well back from the street with a detached carriage house/garage accessed from Kennedy Road. Today it stands as the headquarters of History Cambridge and though it is currently configured for office use, future owners will have the opportunity to reimagine the interiors as a grand private home. The property is protected by historic preservation measures ensuring its integrity for generations to come. An easement held by the Massachusetts Historical Commission safeguards important interior features, while its location within the Old Cambridge Historic District safeguards the exterior. The Hooper-Lee-Nichols House is an invitation to stewardship—an opportunity to carry forward a 340-year legacy.
Getting Around
Very Walkable
Good Transit
Biker's ParadiseSchools
Construction
Condition
- Year built: 1685
Materials
- Foundation: Stone
Type & Style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Antique
- Property subType: Single Family Residence
Interior
Basement
- Has basement: Yes
- Basement: Unfinished
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 10
- Bathrooms: 3
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Features
- Number of fireplaces: 5
- Fireplace: Yes
- Finished area above ground: 6,449
Heating & Cooling
- Heating features: Forced Air,Steam,Ductless
- Cooling features: Central Air,Ductless
Interior Area
- Total structure area: 6,449
- Total interior livable area: 6,449 sqft
Master Bathroom
- Features: No
Property
Details
- Parcel number: M:00238 L:00010,417335
- Zoning: A-1
Lot
- Lot size: 0.41 Acres
- Features: Corner Lot
Parking
- Total spaces: 5
- Parking features: Detached
- Has garage: Yes
- Attached garage spaces: 2
- Covered spaces: 2
- Uncovered spaces: 3
Climate Risk is Financial Risk
Every home has a financial story beyond the listing price. Below, you’ll see the climate risks that could affect this property — and in Bills & Affordability, how those risks may influence repairs, insurance, utilities, and long-term value.
Biggest Threats for This Home
- Tsunami
How This Home’s Risks Compare
FEMA Declared Disasters Across Massachusetts Counties
Understanding the Costs
Financial advisors generally recommend spending no more than 30% of your gross household income on housing costs. In practice, many households stretch to 35% or beyond — especially in high-cost markets.
Estimated Costs Today
| Monthly | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | $29,327 | $351,924 |
| Home Insurance * | $971 | $11,652 |
| Property Taxes | $4,881 | $58,572 |
| Electricity | $1,271 | $15,260 |
| Total | $36,450 | $437,400 |
Income You'd Need if You Spent...
Massachusetts FAIR Plan Programs
How Costs Could Change Over Time
Climate risk is quickly impacting all of the major home ownership costs. Adjust the growth rates and percentage of income spent on housing below to see how your housing costs could change over the next 10 years — and what income you'd need to keep up.
Comparing Against the Market
Price Per Sq Ft
vs Other Active Listings
Avg $/sqft
vs Homes Sold Last Month
Median $/sqft
Current Market Trends
Median Price Per Square Foot
The median price per square foot of homes sold in this area each month. Compare this to this listing's price per square foot to gauge whether the home is priced in line with recent sales.
Historicals for This Listing
Zestimate History ($/sqft)
No zestimate history available
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-23 | Listed for sale | $5,800,000 |
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