847 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

$3,200,000

Historic Cambridge Property with Redevelopment Potential

opportunity

An exceptional opportunity to own a high-visibility, mixed-use property in the heart of Cambridge. Located along Massachusetts Ave between Harvard and Central Squares, this historic 4,524 SF building sits on a 4,838 SF lot and offers a combination of commercial and residential spaces—perfect for investors, owner-users, or businesses seeking a prime location.

This property presents a rare opportunity to capitalize on Cambridge’s progressive zoning policies, allowing for higher density residential or mixed-use redevelopment. Whether you seek to expand, renovate, or reposition, 847 Massachusetts Ave is poised for long-term appreciation in one of Greater Boston’s most dynamic markets.

History

The house at 847 Mass Ave was built in 1887 as a late example of the Second Empire style for Dr. Thomas Cunningham. The house was inherited by his heirs and remained in the family into at least the 1930s.

Property

Situated on a 4,838 SF lot, the building features a combination of commercial and residential spaces, providing flexibility for investors, owner-users, or businesses seeking a prime location. Most recently occupied by Hackett Publishing as office space, the property consists of 15 rooms, including 1 kitchen and 3 half-bathrooms, making it well-suited for professional use, live-work arrangements, or future residential conversion. Built in 1887, it boasts classic Cambridge architecture with modern updates while being steps from MIT, Harvard, public transit, and an array of restaurants and shops. With recent zoning reforms allowing for increased density and building heights, this property holds strong redevelopment potential, whether for expansion, adaptive reuse, or higher-density housing. Boasting a Walk Score of 97, Bike Score of 99, and Transit Score of 73, this location is ideal for both commuters and city dwellers alike. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a high-visibility, high-potential property in one of Greater Boston’s most dynamic markets.

Photos

As-of-Right Massing Model

Rendering. All imagery © Born Illustration, Inc., all rights reserved.
Conceptual Design. © Mills Whitaker Architects LLC, all right reserved.

Massing Model Information

There are many options for development. We have explored one option here.
Ceiling heights in the new section are set at 9’, with a floor-to-floor height of 10’-2”.
The design includes five stories, plus a rooftop garden over the two-story heigh connector. This garden could help satisfy open space requirements.
Each new construction floor plate from the 1st floor to the 4th floor is 1,103 SF, plus a 5th floor of 1,025 SF, totaling 5,985 SF.
The existing building totals 3,876 SF.
The “as-of-right” options limit the total square footage of 10,000 SF.
The new entrance will be recessed into the first floor, with doors leading to the two main structures.
Decorative balcony railings on top of the two-story connectors.
Solar collectors maybe in included

Accessibility Information

An existing three-story building originally constructed as a residence and currently used for offices will be renovated, expanded, and converted into a residential multiple dwelling. The original 3-story structure will be retained and modiﬁed, and an existing 2-story ell will be removed. An addition will be provided in place of the ell and may be up to ﬁve stories. The facility will be used solely for residential with up to eight dwelling units that will be offered for sale.

The cost of the work including the addition will exceed 30% of the full and fair cash value of the existing building, requiring the facility to fully comply with 521 CMR per 3.3.2. In accordance with 521 CMR 5 Deﬁnitions, a residential facility with 3 or more units is a “public building.” Furthermore, a residential facility for hire, rent, lease, or sale containing three or more dwelling units in a building is under the jurisdiction of 521 CMR 9 Multiple Dwelling (9.1 General).
521 CMR 9.2.1 exempts any building previously occupied for any purpose, which is converted, renovated, reconstructed, altered or remodeled for residential after 9/1/1996 from Group 1 Dwelling Units (9.3). An addition is included in this exemption since additions are noted in the Deﬁnition of “Existing Buildings” in 3.3.

Because of the size of the facility, Group 2A Dwelling Units will not be required per 9.4 since there will be fewer than 20 units (and they will be for sale).

It appears that Group 2B Dwelling Units will not be applicable since this is not a hotel, motel, or inn as referenced in the dwelling requirements for Group 2B bathrooms and kitchens per 44.1 and 45.1.

Public and common use areas must be accessible per 10.1 for new construction when a building has 3 or more units, and for existing buildings with 12 or more units. This facility is an existing building per the 3.3 deﬁnition, so public/common areas will not need to be accessible since there will be fewer than 12 units.

Elevators are not required in Multiple Dwellings where all accessible rooms and all public use and common use spaces are on the accessible level per 28.1.f. This facility will not require any accessible dwelling units or accessible public/common spaces, so no elevator will be required by 521 CMR.

Since the building will not need to be accessible, it will not require an accessible entrance, accessible route, or accessible parking. However, there are no restrictions from providing accessible features within the facility. If the site and building conﬁguration will allow, providing one accessible unit at the ﬁrst ﬂoor of the addition with its own accessible entrance, accessible route, and accessible parking space could be done without triggering accessibility requirements for the other units. An accessible unit could comply with any of the accessible dwelling unit regulations (Group 1, 2A, or 2B) at the discretion of the developer.