12 Ash Street Place, Cambridge, MA 02138

Tucked at the very end of a private way in Harvard Square, 12 Ash Street Place is a rare survivor of old Cambridge character--timeworn, soulful, and warmly inviting. The 1847 home offers gracious proportions, rich moldings, and a meandering layout of generous rooms and quiet nooks. The expansive living room, with walls of windows, has a kind of Cambridge grandeur without gloss--equally inviting for lively gatherings or quiet conversation. A footpath from the front door leads to Harvard Square, a secret passage from this tucked-away solitude to the city's vibrant bustle. The kitchen, with its classic Garland range, built-in seating, and wisteria-draped deck, captures the house's spirit: lived-in, unpretentious, and full of heart. The property asks for stewardship--and, yes, some elbow grease--from someone who sees the beauty in what time has shaped. Like a favorite old pair of jeans, it's comfortably broken-in and impossible to replace. Parking is by custom on the private way.