Julia Child’s Historic Cambridge Home Near Harvard Square Lists for $6.5 Million

A historic home in Cambridge, MA, boasting an impressive culinary pedigree has just hit the market near Harvard Square for $6,475,000.

The former home of legendary chef Julia Child is where the cookbook author and TV host of "The French Chef" lived with her husband, Paul, for 40 years.

"The home is a garden-style house, so the front of the house is on the side, and the home itself is surrounded by gardens," says Ed Feijo, who is co-listing the property with Gail Roberts of Coldwell Banker Realty. "The house is set in the middle of the lot, so you enjoy views of the gardens from every room."

Built in 1889, the six-bedroom residence offers a spacious 6,321 square feet of modern living.

Child lived in the home until 2001, when she moved to a retirement community in California and donated her house and office to Smith College, which later sold it, according to History Cambridge.

While the shows "Cooking with Master Chefs," "In Julia's Kitchen with Master Chefs," "Baking with Julia," and "Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home" are all said to have been filmed in her Cambridge home, Child donated her original kitchen to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where it remains on display.

"The whole property has been updated since then," Feijo noted. "The house is a stone's throw from Harvard Square but is located in a suburban environment."

The light-filled residence boasts hardwood floors, wainscoting, a bay window with built-in seating, French doors, and four fireplaces.

A grand foyer opens up to the living area and family room with built-in shelves.

Child's former cooking spot has been transformed into a luxurious chef's kitchen with Poggenpohl cabinetry, marble countertops, dual dishwashers, and a butler's pantry (where Paul perfected his signature upside-down martini) that now doubles as a caterer's kitchen. From here, there is also access to two covered porches.

An upstairs primary suite has a gas fireplace, a walk-in closet with built-in cabinetry, a spa-inspired bathroom with a soaking tub, and access to a private terrace.

The third floor features an office with a built-in desk. On the lower level, there's a wine room and a bonus area that could be transformed into a fitness center, entertainment room, or guest accommodations.

A brick patio framed by a stone wall overlooks the lushly landscaped, fenced-in yard. There is also a porte-cochère that offers sheltered parking.

"The next buyer could be a family, someone who teaches at Harvard, or someone who loves to entertain," he adds.

Because of its prime location and walkable convenience to restaurants, shops, and cafes, Feijo believes the property will likely be used as a primary residence.

"It is located in a neighborhood called Professor's Row, which is located behind the Divinity School and Harvard Law School," he notes. "It's a neighborhood steeped in history with lots of interesting people, so it speaks to a lot of different buyer pools."