Either-Or: A 1750 Colonial in Hamilton vs. an Italianate Condo in JP

It’s amazing what a few miles will do to the market. This month, we compare a renovated home and barn on the North Shore with a residence near Jamaica Pond.


Photos courtesy Rob Moreno Photography (Hamilton); Remark Visions/Courtesy of Zachary Friedman (Jamaica Plain)

315 Essex
Street, Hamilton
Sale Price: $625,000363 South Huntington Avenue,#4, Jamaica
Plain/strong>
$599,000
85
1,620 square feet
3
1.5
Asking Price
Days on Market
Size
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
$579,000
72
927 square feet
2
1

New England is blessed with a range of charming home styles, from post-and-beam Colonials to elaborate Victorians. For proof, look no further than these two recent sales, each of which represents a different side of our architectural history. Recently renovated down to the studs with updated plumbing and electrical systems, the first property, a 1750 Colonial on the North Shore, is the epitome of simplicity, with preserved antique details such as period hardwoods and a clawfoot tub. The detached, 2,450-square-foot barn with exposed beams galore, meanwhile, bolsters the farmhouse vibe.

In a smaller Jamaica Plain condo, it’s ornate flourishes, not clean lines, that catch the eye. From the street, a grand portico and dentil molding command curb appeal, while the inside showcases wainscoting and oversize windows. Aside from Italianate architectural splendor, the place offers rare city amenities: a parking space, a common patio with a grill, and a vegetable garden. Perhaps that’s why it sold for $46,000 over asking price, sans barn.