Boston's skinny house, which everyone thinks was built out of spite, is worth over $1 million. Take a look inside.

Joey Hadden,Maria NoyenSep 25, 2024, 22:54 IST

Boston's famed skinny house last sold in 2021, but tour groups and history buffs continue to debate its origins.CL Properties

A 10-foot-wide Boston home rumored to have been built out of spite sold for $1.25 million in 2021.
One explanation is that a man built it after finding his brother took up most of their shared land.

A 10-foot-wide home in Boston — which a 2005 Boston Globe article called the city's skinniest — last sold for $1.25 million in 2021.

Many local legends attempt to explain the origins of Boston's skinny house, located on Hull Street in the city's North End.

There are various versions of the myth, but one of the most popular was rehashed in a 2015 Boston magazine article. The house is said to have been built as a result of a land dispute between brothers in the mid-1800s. The skinny-house builder was a soldier who, after returning from war, was angry that his brother had built an expansive property on land they'd both inherited and wanted to annoy him as punishment.

While the spite-filled origin story was one of the things that attracted onlookers and commenters after the skinny house hit the market in 2021, there is substantial evidence that pokes holes in that version of events.

Nonetheless, two things are almost certainly true: the house is old, and it's pretty quirky. See for yourself.

Legend has it that the soldier built the skinny home on the remaining property in 1862, blocking all sunlight to parts of his brother's massive home, according to the magazine.

Boston legend has it that the skinny house at 44 Hull Street was built out of spite. But old photographs and maps say otherwise.CL Properties

Legend has it that the soldier built the skinny home on the remaining property in 1862, blocking all sunlight to parts of his brother's massive home, according to the magazine.

But the legend might be nothing more than a myth, as historical maps and old photos indicate it might have instead been carved out of an existing structure sometime between 1875 and 1888.

The funky-looking house was probably not built out of spite in 1862, contrary to popular belief.CL Properties

But the legend might be nothing more than a myth, as historical maps and old photos indicate it might have instead been carved out of an existing structure sometime between 1875 and 1888.

Today, despite its small size—at just over 1,000 square feet—the two-bedroom home has a full-size kitchen on the first floor, according to its Zillow listing from when it was on the market in 2021.

The kitchen on the home's first floor.CL Properties

Today, despite its small size—at just over 1,000 square feet—the two-bedroom home has a full-size kitchen on the first floor, according to its Zillow listing from when it was on the market in 2021.

According to the same listing, the first floor includes a dining room, a living space, and a door to a balcony overlooking private gardens.

The home's living and dining areas.CL Properties

Upstairs, the second floor includes the bathroom, laundry room, and a sitting area.

The second-floor laundry room and bathroom.CL Properties

There's only one bathroom in the home. At the time it sold, it came with a blue-tile backsplash, contrasting with exposed brick.

The home's only bathroom.CL Properties

The second-floor sitting area has a window overlooking some greenery outside.

The home's second-floor seating area.CL Properties

The windows in the hallway on the second floor face a brick wall of the property next door.

A hallway in the home.CL Properties

Past the living space, a narrow hallway leads to a staircase.

The staircase on the home's second floor.CL Properties

On the third floor, there's another sitting area, according to the home's Zillow listing.

The home's third-floor sitting area.CL Properties

The other half of the floor is used as a guest bedroom, according to the listing.

The home's guest bedroom.CL Properties

The primary suite takes up the whole fourth floor and has access to a private rooftop, according to Zillow.

The home's primary suite.CL Properties

In the primary bedroom, there's shelving for clothing against exposed brick.

The home's primary bedroom.CL Properties

Across from the bed, there's room for a nook.

A nook in the home's primary suite.CL Properties

The stairs in the suite lead to the rooftop deck, from which you can see a view of the city.

A view of Boston from the roof.CL Properties

Back on the ground, the property has a private garden.

The home's private garden.CL Properties

There are a few seating areas for entertaining outdoors.

The home's outdoor seating areas.CL Properties

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Boston's skinny house, which everyone thinks was built out of spite, is worth over $1 million. Take a look inside.

Legend has it that the soldier built the skinny home on the remaining property in 1862, blocking all sunlight to parts of his brother's massive home, according to the magazine.

But the legend might be nothing more than a myth, as historical maps and old photos indicate it might have instead been carved out of an existing structure sometime between 1875 and 1888.

Today, despite its small size—at just over 1,000 square feet—the two-bedroom home has a full-size kitchen on the first floor, according to its Zillow listing from when it was on the market in 2021.

According to the same listing, the first floor includes a dining room, a living space, and a door to a balcony overlooking private gardens.

Upstairs, the second floor includes the bathroom, laundry room, and a sitting area.

There's only one bathroom in the home. At the time it sold, it came with a blue-tile backsplash, contrasting with exposed brick.

The second-floor sitting area has a window overlooking some greenery outside.

The windows in the hallway on the second floor face a brick wall of the property next door.

Past the living space, a narrow hallway leads to a staircase.

On the third floor, there's another sitting area, according to the home's Zillow listing.

The other half of the floor is used as a guest bedroom, according to the listing.

The primary suite takes up the whole fourth floor and has access to a private rooftop, according to Zillow.

In the primary bedroom, there's shelving for clothing against exposed brick.

Across from the bed, there's room for a nook.

The stairs in the suite lead to the rooftop deck, from which you can see a view of the city.

Back on the ground, the property has a private garden.

There are a few seating areas for entertaining outdoors.