Skinny House

Boston is a city known for its deep-rooted history, charming neighborhoods, and quirky architectural gems. One of the most talked-about, unique attractions in the city is the famous Skinny House, located at 44 Hull Street in Boston's North End. Also referred to as the Spite House, this narrow house has garnered a lot of attention, not just for its unusual size, but also for the compelling story behind it.

 

At just a few feet wide and covering only 1,165 square feet, this house manages to be both a full-size home and a remarkable piece of Boston's architectural history. Whether you’re following the Freedom Trail or just exploring Boston’s North End, a stop at the Skinny House is worth your time.

 

What to Know

Whether you are a first-time Boston visitor or a more experienced tourist the Skinny House is a piece of local color to enhance your tour. Located in the historic Copp Hill district, this narrow four-story building has been an object of curiosity for a long time. The home is barely more than 10 feet wide at its slimmest point making it one of the most unusual residential spaces in Boston.

 

Humble in width, the house offers several floors and every floor has decorative sitting areas, and, of course, a private roof terrace. With windows looking out at the Copp Hill Burying Ground and Boston Harbor the house is now famous amongst real estate agents especially when it was sold at $1.25 million.

 

How to Get There

Skinny House can be found at 44 Hull Street, it will take a couple of minutes to find it as the Freedom Trail area surrounds it. That way one can get by the T which is the subway system in Boston and the stop by this location is North Station. It is then a short amble to the North End area where Hull Street is located.

 

It is always good to walk the freedom trail to get to the house since other major attraction establishments are nearby such as the Paul Revere’s House, and the Old North Church. When you are driving though, it could be a bit of a challenge to find a parking space on the North End streets and therefore, you might have to do it by bus, subway, or through a hired car.

 

 

Highlights

Still, what makes the Skinny House even more interesting is not its size but its story and the design behind it. Some lanes are called the Path which is spite while the house was constructed with spite and it became known as Spite House. It is believed that, after the father's death, his two sons received pieces of land as their share. When one brother went to war in the Civil War, the other one stayed home and constructed a big house and used most of the yard. When the first brother came back home there was hardly any room for him his brother decided to build this thin house out of annoyance. He made sure that the house did not get direct sunlight or any view of the outside world from the brother’s big house.

 

Such a story of rivalry between the two siblings adds character to the Skinny House. Also, the interior layout is practical, even though the house itself may not boast very much space. Every floor has different sitting areas; the house also includes a private rooftop where one can see beautiful views of the neighboring compounds and harbor.

 

Features

 

Size and Dimensions:

Measuring a width of slightly over ten feet, this slender home is designed to accommodate several floors.

 

Interior Layout:

The house might be sleek, and that’s something those looking to upgrade from small and cramped will love. An effective use of limited space when it has several floors, fireplace sitting areas, and a fantastically built roof-top deck.

 

Historical Significance:

There is a legend connected with this home, which has been locally referred to as the Spite House, making the visit all the more interesting.

 

Best Time to Visit

Boston is lovely no matter what time of year, but the Skinny House looks especially cute in spring and autumn because they can’t be too hot to be out and about in the neighborhood. Because the Skinny House is a private home, you cannot go in the house, however, you can certainly look at the house from the street, especially if you are touring the Freedom Trail already. If you are lucky, the next Copp Hill Burying Ground will be open giving even more history to the visit.

 

History of the Skinny House

The Skinny House was constructed during the Civil War in 1862, and it seems to be one of Boston’s most infamous properties. It is said that the house was constructed out of resentment after two brothers received a piece of land from their father. It only took one brother to go to war, the other immediately built a grander house on most of the remaining portions of the ground. Angry at the greedy takeover, the arriving brother constructed the Skinny House; he ‘sealed his brother’s balcony cutting off the view and sunlight and creating one of the most original houses in Boston.

 

The Boston Globe has reported on the house many times especially after it was resold after for $1.25 million a while ago. Every time the house is sold, the tale of the evoking residence goes on to inspire the people from the region as well as the visitors.

 

Conclusion

The Skinny House may be small in size, but it looms large in the heart of Boston’s North End. Whether you’re following the Freedom Trail or simply looking for unique stops along your journey, this narrow house is worth seeing. From its fascinating backstory of sibling rivalry to its practical design and beautiful private roof deck, the Skinny House remains one of Boston’s quirkiest and most charming landmarks.