Real Estate Showdown: A Transcendental Classic vs. Craftsman Grandeur
It’s amazing what a few miles can do to the market. This month, we compare a historical Cambridge treasure with a stately Lexington estate.
LISTING AGENTS: TODD MOVSESSIAN, BARRETT SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY (CAMBRIDGE); LEENA AGNIHOTRI, COMPASS (LEXINGTON)
SEBASTIAN BIELA WITH YELLOW HOUSE MEDIA GROUP (LEXINGTON); ROBERT PESSOLANO OF PESSOLANO PHOTOGRAPHY (CAMBRIDGE)
43 Larch Rd., Cambridge | Sale Price: ~$3,800,000 | 2 Percy Rd., Lexington |
| $3,895,000 6 4,320 square feet 5 4 full, 1 half | Asking Price Days on Market Size Bedrooms Bathrooms | $3,985,000 17 8,363 square feet 6 6 full, 2 half |
Here in Greater Boston, architectural diversity is one of the great draws, from storied historical homes to midcentury-modern gems. This Cambridge residence, just over a mile from Harvard Square, was built in 1886 for transcendentalist philosopher Francis Ellingwood Abbot. While Old World details remain, including the stained-glass front door, the home is primed for contemporary living. Custom details abound, from a library with a rolling ladder to a chef-ready kitchen.
Over in Lexington, this 1916 Craftsman-style home recently received a top-to-bottom overhaul that blends period character with modern livability.
On the first floor, the new owners enjoy a sparkling kitchen anchored by a Thermador range and ample living spaces, while on the second floor, they can unwind in a lavishly appointed primary suite. Set on more than half an acre in a sought-after neighborhood, the home also offers a finished lower level complete with a kitchenette.
Both homes sold briskly, and while the Cambridge property commanded slightly more per square foot, the choice here comes down to what buyers value: a classic near Cambridge’s cultural core, or a refined suburban manse where privacy takes center stage.
This article was first published in the print edition of the March 2026 issue with the headline: “A Transcendental Classic vs. Craftsman Grandeur.”
