Cabot Estate - Boston's Premier Gated Condominium Community
Jamaica Plain, affectionately known to locals as "JP," is one of the greenest neighborhoods in the city of Boston. It is surrounded on three sides by large tracts of forested open space and shares its western border with the town of Brookline. Snuggled amidst the famed "Emerald Necklace", the picturesque Jamaica Pond, the nature-lovers' Arnold Arboretum, the impressive Franklin Park and zoo, and the historic Forest Hills Cemetery, JP is an outdoor oasis. Second only to all the natural beauty of JP is its abundance of architectural intrigue. The "neighborhood" hosts a number of spectacular Victorian homes on Sumner Hill. Stately mansions line Jamaica Pond and nearby streets.
Jamaica Pond, a natural kettle hole formed by a glacier holds its place in history as the first reservoir in America. It once hosted a commercial ice-cutting operation, and its banks held the country estates of prominent Bostonians. The Pond was incorporated into the Emerald Necklace plan in 1892, and a boathouse and bandstand were added at the turn of the century. Boats and sail boats are available in season. The entrance to Cabot Estate fronts beautiful Jamaica Pond.
The rich diversity of its residents has created a strong character of social awareness and tolerance among neighbors and residents. Every ethnicity, socio-economic stratum, and sexual orientation is well represented in this Boston neighborhood with its countless local shops and businesses, outstanding restaurants, artful graffiti, busy sidewalks and the hustle and bustle of the Number 39 Bus line, three stops on the MBTA Orange Line, as well as convenient access to the D and E Green Line Trains. 
The history of Cabot Estate dates back to 1866 when the property was first purchased by Quincy Adams Shaw and Polleen Agassiz Shaw, a philanthropic Boston Brahmin family. They built a Victorian manor at the highest level on the property overlooking Jamaica Pond then being developed by Fredrick Law Olmstead as part of Boston's park system known as the Emerald Necklace. The house would remain their home over the next fifty years.
In 1921 the property was sold to Samuel Cabot, owner of Cabot Paints. Mr. Cabot was a man of grandiose vision who completed a major renovation of the original manor house. He altered the exterior façade by importing stone from an English castle. The interior was modified with hand carved oak, crown molding, and stained glass. The simple manor was transformed into what today is referred to as the "Castle".
Pasquale Franchi purchased the Cabot Estate in 1968. His goal was to develop the twenty-three acre property into a secure and elegantly landscaped suburban condominium community uniquely within the City of Boston. In 1974 Mr. Franchi created a Conservation Restriction to ensure that broad areas of the perimeter property would remain a "natural, scenic, green, and open condition forever".
Cabot Estate was constructed as a luxury gated community in four phases over a ten year period starting in 1975 and completed in 1986. There are three townhouse style residential clusters and two mid-rise buildings making a total of 158 residential units - 108 townhouses, 48 mid-rise units, and 2 residences in the original Cabot carriage house.
The property is nestled on 23 acres of forested woodlands crossing over the Boston town line and into Brookline - a unique environment for urban living. Cabot Estate residents enjoy the suburban life of meadows, landscaped gardens, and walking trails all within the urban confines of a world class city. Centrally located, residents have easy access within a five mile radius to a wide variety of business, cultural, shopping and dining opportunities in Jamaica Plain, Boston and Brookline.
Residents with an active lifestyle can take advantage of a swimming pool, play tennis on two tennis courts, or work out in the fitness room located at the "Castle" - now the Association's community building. The "Castle" features a variety of amenities including an oak paneled Library well stocked with books, a conference room, billiard room, a fitness center, and kitchen faculties for residents who can entertain up to 50 guests.
Cabot residents enjoy a range of social events including a book club, movie club, wine and cheese socials and summer pool parties.
Vacancy rates at Cabot Estates are low and owner occupancy is extremely high. Recent sales have ranged from a low of $480,000 to a high of $1,000,000.
"The Carriage House" -
Some may wonder why a broker in Wellesley knows so much about Cabot Estate. Well, for over 7 years, this was my home. I lived in the original carriage house, which had been renovated by the developer into a magnificent 3,800 square foot condominium unit. During those many happy years, I added to the charm of the unit by upgrading the radiant heating systems with a Viesmann Boiler, expanded the kitchen to true gourmet standards and added hardwoods throughout.
For more pictures of this incredible home, click here.
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