51 Rockview Street - 2nd Empire Single Family in Jamaica Plain
Picture Perfect
An ornate and unique mansard single family home with a barn just needs your imagination.
1686 sqft | 3+ beds | 1 bath* | 5660 sqft lot | 2 level detached barn approx. 1400 sqft
asking $919,000
For decades the owners of 51 Rockview Street in Jamaica Plain have greeted door knockers and passers-by inquiring about their gorgeous home. These inquiries ranged from folks asking for permission to paint the lovely Mansard home to others straight out asking to buy it. I guess when you own a rare 19th Century Second Empire Mansard, you have to expect that sort of thing! To be sure this is a special place.
Buyers will want to bring their tape measures, contractors, and imaginations when they tour this red brick abode. The dreamy exterior details—a Second Empire style with Baroque brickwork surrounding the door and window lintels, a classic Mansard slate roof line—timelessly endure a century and half after the masons installed the keystones and masterfully laid their final bricks.
Built as a single family home in 1876, 51 Rockview was registered as a 2 family home by the 1950s, possibly even used as a three family, though no evidence of the latter exists. By 1974, when its current owners purchased it, it had reverted to its original 1 family status.
While it is thirsty for modern updates, the interior of 51 Rockview has many features worth noting, which include regal ceiling height on the parlor level, tall windows, and a fair amount of intact original cornice and molding. Its hilltop disposition offers views on all 4 sides; and on beautiful days, the southwestern exposure along the living/dining room side of the house pours golden sunlight through the aforementioned tall windows along the side—folks thinking about renovation will want to consider the exposure! Though public record states 3 bedrooms, there’s a smaller 4th room on the second floor that could easily be used for a bedroom or converted into a 2nd bathroom, walk-in closet, or laundry room. The basement also enjoys unusually high ceilings, too; the gentle slope from the frontage to the backyard and barn allows for walk-out access from the basement to the yard. There’s a half bath in the basement, as well, if not a bit outdated.
The barn, with its two stories and shored up walls and foundation, has potential to be unlocked by its new owners. An accessory dwelling unit? A studio? Workspace? Only you and the zoning committee can know for sure, but there’s a treasure there for someone!
Last, but definitely not least, is its remarkable location. Etched atop one of the hills that comprise Central Jamaica Plain, 51 Rockview trumpets convenience in every direction: Less than 1/3 mile from Centre Street, under a 1/2 mile from Jamaica Pond, less than 1/2 from Green Street T Station, Stonybrook T, and the Southwest Corridor Bike Path. The convenience of this location can’t be understated!! There’s a sizeable driveway and paved area in the back, between the barn and the main house, but who needs a car when everything is so close at hand!
Details, details, details!
Detached Barn w/ 2 Levels
Top JP Location
Architectural Rarity
Lovely Lot
Blank Canvas
Open House Times
First Showings: THURSDAY JUNE 6th from 4:30 - 6pm.
Friday, June 7th - By Appointment
Saturday, June 8th - 12 - 1 pm
Sunday, June 9th - 12 - 1 pm
Useful Downloads
About the Home:
FAQ & Disclosures | Floor Plans
Mortgage Rate Sheet | MLS Page | Deed | Lead Paint Disclosure
Original Permit to Build | Fire Escape Application from 1957 (shows 2 Fam use) | 1951 Permit App (shows 2 fam)
Additional Downloads:
Location, location, location
A Little About Jamaica Plain
For starters, locals call it JP. Once a vacation getaway for Boston’s elite merchants in centuries past, Jamaica Plain’s rolling hills are now home to a diverse and exciting fabric of community activism, an array of tasty restaurants and other small businesses, and many wonderful green spaces in and around the area. Surrounded by Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, JP is one of the greenest neighborhoods in Boston.
JP Seafood - Never. A. Bad. Meal. One of JP’s longest standing and most loved spots for Korean and Japanese fusion. A+
Blue Frog - Coffee and pastries to go or enjoy on their street side patio.
The Galway House - A local, pub-style eatery with vintage decor. Nothing fancy, but always delicious and well-prepared. And their fried foods are exquisite, especially the house-breaded onion rings. Full stop.
Tonino - Classic Italian bistro to which folks from all over Greater Boston flock. Hard to get a reservation, so call ahead!
Tres Gatos - Where else can you shop for music & books while you wait to be seated in a cozy, delicious taperia?
JPizle Kitchen - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner Columbian style. Locals LOVE JPizzle.
Brendan Behan Pub - This is where the locals gather, in front, inside, and out back. A JP institution since the late 80s. Grab a late night bite from Food Wall across the street, and bring it over why don’t you?
Chilacates - Authentic Mexican street food. Deeelish.
City Feed & Supply - Two locations in JP. The original “Little” City Feed is on your commute to Stonybrook T, the other is just on Centre Street. Locally owned, locally sourced (when/where possible) foods and groceries. They have a yummy sandwich menu (farmer’s lunch, anyone?) and one helluva tasty breakfast sandwich.
Blue Nile - Lovely Ethiopian classics in a warm and friendly environment.
For Pizza we can’t pick just one: Same Old Place, Il Panino, Ideal? There are too many to list!
* Editor’s note: There are so many more tasty and cool spots in JP and if we listed them all, we’d be here all day. Once you buy this listing from the Boston Home Team, you’ll have all the time in the world to explore the neighborhood.
Meet the listing agents: The Boston Home Team
For a cooler Real Estate Experience
Specializing in residential listings of all shapes and sizes, we bring big game to every property we list.
We also work with buyers throughout Greater Boston.
Make us your Real Estate resource for life.
