The George Loring House – 76 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA

Nestled at 76 Highland Avenue in Somerville, Massachusetts, the George Loring House stands as an enduring testament to history. Originating around 1895, this distinguished 2½-story Victorian dwelling was meticulously conceived by the skilled architect George F. Loring as his family’s home. 

Architecturally, the house embraces the prevalent shingle style of the late 19th century yet incorporates a plethora of details from Post Medieval English architecture, resulting in what could have been deemed an uncommon but successful design experiment and perhaps a reflection of the architect’s values and goals. The primary structure revolves around an imposing 2.5-story side gable entrance, its underlying asymmetry cleverly concealed by thoughtful proportioning. 

Distinguishing the Shingle style, part of the Victorian era, features include shed dormers, continuous unpainted shingle wall cladding on the upper floors, a roof that gracefully flares as it meets the masonry of the first floor, and seamless shingle meeting points at corners without interruption from corner boards. The facade is relatively unadorned, simplicity being a characteristic of the shingle style but the central turret exudes grandeur through its imposing mass.

Conversely, the Post Medieval English features are evident in the steep pitch of the side gable roof with unadorned eaves, as well as the garrisoned second and third floors overhanging the first, supported by substantial framing beams—a nod to the heavy timber-framed post-and-girt construction style of that era. Casement windows with diamond-shaped mullions framing small panes harken back to a time when technological constraints limited the size of windowpanes. While massive chimneys align with the shingle style, the variously decorated chimney pots borrow touches from Medieval England.

In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, the George Loring House earned a well-deserved place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

This home is now available for its next chapter with a new family, carrying on Loring’s intentions for his own family to thrive in this unique and striking abode.

76 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143 | MLS# 73175966 | Redfin

This stunning property is being listed by:

Barbara Feldscher, Global Real Estate Advisor

Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty