Over 4,500 square feet of living area in an Historical Home of Architectural Significance

Under 3 miles to Harvard Square, Cambridge

Flexible Floor Plan with Four to Six Bedrooms

Abundant Natural Light in Every Room

Formal Living Room With Fireplace

Extensive Architectural Details

Hardwood Floors Throughout

Recent Gas Heating Boiler

Elevator From First to Second Floor

Large Third Floor Studio

Large Rear Deck

 Two Car Garage

In Law, Au-Pair or Accessory Apartment for Additional Income


Just under 3 miles from Harvard Square with direct access by bus, this historic Watertown single family home is a great alternative high Cambridge home prices and small lots. Located in Watertown's premier historic neighborhood adjacent to the Oakley Country Club, this elegant family home has a flexible floor plan and unique layout that can enhance each stage
of family life.

The slate roofed home with its stucco exterior is of an L shaped design. The main wing consisting of 9 rooms with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. High ceilings, extensive turn of the century detailing, a five foot fireplace and a spacious solarium with floor to ceiling palladian windows are among the many outstanding features of the Frederick H. Robie House. 
There is a Tyndal elevator.

The other wing extends from the main house and features a two car garage as well as additional finished second and third level space. The second level has a legal two room accessory rental apartment which is accessible by a private entrance. This space is accessible by a separate entrance or a lockable pass-through to the second floor of the main house.  It might also serve evolving family as an au-pair suite, older child's private living space, private in-law apartment or perhaps a home office retreat with a private entrance. In addition, there is a third floor with a 1/2 bath, a small studio/office room and a large finished room with gleaming wood flooring and an abundance of natural light. It could make a wonderful art studio, library, office, game room or retreat.

Brief History

 This unique Colonial Revival home was designed by noted Boston architect William E. Putnam and built for Frederick H. Robie.  Putnam was a renowned Boston architect who also designed the Angel Memorial Hospital and the Kirstein Memorial Library.

The neighborhood was developed in the 1890s by noted architect Charles Brigham & his partners on a parcel of land that was divided from three former celery farms. The initial development of Garfield Street was carefully controlled by its developers in order to maintain a high degree of architectural sophistication. The Meeting House Hill neighborhood has been nationally recognized as exemplary of the nineteenth century's vision of the garden suburb and the neighborhood has been considering the merits of national designation as the Brigham Historic District.

Although built as a single family residence in 1912, the Frederick H. Robie house was home to the Red Cross from the 1920s to the 1960s. The former domestic help quarters were converted to a legal accessory apartment in the 1990s. Although this solid home has been updated through the years, the majority of its original architectural details remain very well preserved.

This exceptional family home has been recommended for listing in the National Register of Historical Places,
if the new owners decide to pursue the application.

Qualified buyers may contact us with questions or to arrange a private viewing.
Call toll free and without obligation.  We will respect your time and your privacy.
877-469-4200