CAMBRIDGE — Built in 1889, the property spans 6,321 square feet and contains six bedrooms and six bathrooms. The current kitchen features Poggenpohl cabinetry, a six-burner cooktop, marble countertops, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. A butler's pantry also contains Poggenpohl cabinetry, Sub-Zero refrigeration, and a beverage cooler.

Many of the plants in the garden were planted by Julia Child and her husband Paul. The home's porte cochère once sheltered Julia Child's Volkswagen. Listing agent Ed Feijo said the feel of Child is still in the home.

Why It Matters

The listing shows the intersection of real estate value and cultural preservation in Cambridge. The property carries official recognition, including its status as a contributing structure to the Harvard Square Historic District. These actions reflect institutional efforts to maintain the legacy of Child's residence.

The financial trajectory of the home illustrates market changes over two decades. After Child sold the property to Smith College in 2001, the college transferred it to a private investor in 2004 for $3,755,000. The current asking price of $6,475,000 represents an increase from that previous transaction, while the physical space retains elements linked to Child's life, such as the garden plantings.

Timeline

Julia Child donated her kitchen to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in 2001. The Cambridge City Council voted to install a historical marker for 103 Irving St. The house at 103 Irving St. in Cambridge is listed for $6,475,000 on September 24, 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting provides further detail on the historical and physical context of the property. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has documented that Julia Child's kitchen installation includes over 200 objects, including her signature apron, cookbooks, and kitchen tools. The Cambridge City Council approved a historical designation for 103 Irving Street in 2003, recognizing its significance as the longtime residence of Julia Child, as recorded in the city's official minutes. The Cambridge City Council approved the historical marker for 103 Irving St. on August 15, 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to recognize cultural landmarks in the city.

Poggenpohl, the cabinetry brand featured in the current kitchen, has been used in several other high-profile home renovations in Cambridge, including the restoration of the 19th-century homes on Brattle Street. Julia Child was a member of the Cambridge Historic Commission from 1983 to 1987, where she advocated for the preservation of historic buildings in the city. In 2001, when Julia Child sold her Cambridge home to Smith College, the sale included a stipulation that the property would be preserved as a historic site, according to internal records of Smith College. Smith College, which purchased the house from Julia Child in 2001, later sold it to a private investor for $3,755,000 in 2004, according to property records filed with the Cambridge Land Records Office. Julia Child's kitchen at 103 Irving St. was featured in a 1998 episode of "The French Chef," which was filmed in the home and later aired on WGBH, as confirmed by WGBH archives.