In Massachusetts, a Rare Midcentury Home Just Listed for $1.9M

Architect Ira Rakatansky designed just six houses in the state, and this one comes with a butterfly roof, a bright-red front door, and a monolithic fireplace.

Location: 58 Hill Street, Lexington, Massachusetts 

Price: $1,850,000

Year Built: 1955

Architect: Ira Rakatansky

Footprint: 3,100 square feet (5 bedrooms, 3 baths)

Lot Size: 0.53 acres

From the Agent: "The house was commissioned by the Dunn family. Friends of theirs, the Starrs, also commissioned architect Ira Rakatansky, to build the house next door. These two are among only about a half dozen homes built in Massachusetts from Rakatansky designs. The Dunn House’s siting, orientation, and carefully placed windows provide privacy and a connection to nature. The formal living spaces on the upper main floor are organized around a sun-filled living room with a sculptural fireplace and two walls of glass. The adjacent dining room opens through a glass door to the screened porch. The primary bedroom suite includes a large bedroom and an en suite bathroom. As drawn in the original plans, the large space is currently divided with open shelves into a sitting/dressing area with a wall of closets and a sleeping area with a tall, east-facing window. Three lower-level bedrooms from the original Ira Rakatansky design are currently used as an office, a guest bedroom, and an extra room for music lessons."

The butterfly roof is a defining feature of the home. 

The butterfly roof is a defining feature of the home. 

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The living room is anchored by an original fireplace. 

The living room is anchored by an original fireplace. 

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This home and the neighboring property are two of the six Massachusetts residences designed by architect Ira Rakatansky. 

This home and the neighboring property are two of the six Massachusetts residences designed by architect Ira Rakatansky. 

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Color meets bright-white tile. in one of the home’s bathrooms.

Color meets bright-white tile. in one of the home’s bathrooms.

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Grace Bernard
Grace Bernard is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles where she covers architecture, design, culture, and travel.

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