Dwell360 Guide: Welcome to Chestnut Hill
Rich in history and local pride, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is a unique village encompassing parts of Newton, Brookline, and Boston. With elegant homes, wonderful green spaces, and plenty of high-end shopping and dining destinations, Chestnut Hill retains the character of a beautiful suburb nestled close to the city.
A Brief History
The members of the Hammond family were the initial settlers in the Newton section of Chestnut Hill, in 1665. For generations, the family lived in the area. In 1822, Beverly native Capt. Joseph Lee bought a farm from the Hammond family. He passed the property to his nieces and nephews when he died in 1845. Many of them built houses on the land, and had ambitious goals of creating a more vibrant collection of country estates - called Chestnut Hill. However, well into the 1800s, even when the rest of Newton was being developed, Chestnut Hill stayed sparsely populated. This was largely due to its inaccessibility, so with the Beacon Street extension of 1850 (which gave railroad access to Brookline and Boston), and the Charles River Railroad development in 1852, the area began to develop and populate. Development took off after 1880, as this is when transportation was improved. The last of the land in Chestnut Hill was developed between 1880 and 1910, and gave way to homes, buildings, and a farm. In 1909, Boston College moved from its former location in the South End to develop a 31-acre campus in Chestnut Hill where it is still thriving today. The village continued to develop into the 1900s, and in 1991, the Chestnut Hill Local Historic District was created in order to preserve the historic architectural elements of this village - while also allowing for continued development.
Our Favorite Spots in Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill Reservoir: Located right next to Boston College, the Chestnut Hill Reservoir is the perfect place for a stroll or jog. Hit the 1.5 mile path around the reservoir to take in the stunning views.
The Shops at Chestnut Hill: Spend some time exploring the many shops this complex has to offer. From Tiffany & Co. to J. Crew to Uniqlo, as well as many different restaurants (including some below), you’ll be sure to find something you love.
Tokyo Japanese Steak House: A classic hibachi restaurant. For a unique dining experience, come here and witness your meal being cooked on a huge grill right before your eyes! Oh, and the food is spectacular, too.
The Friendly Toast: This Cambridge brunch favorite recently announced it will be opening a new location in Chestnut Hill!
Stop by Putterham Circle for unique shops and restaurants.
Webster Woods Conservation Area: Spend a few hours exploring the beautiful nature of Webster Woods. Consider rock climbing, or in the winter, cross country skiing. It’s also the perfect place for a summer stroll with the kids.
Putterham Circle: Putterham Circle hosts an array of shops, restaurants, as well as some outdoor activities. Grab a Chinese dish from Mandarin Gourmet, swing some clubs at the Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course in Putterham Meadows, or check out the little collection of shops.
Hammond Pond Reservation: With dozens of trails and rock formations to climb, Hammond Pond Reservation is a great place for a brief adventure. The pond also provides stunning views that will make you appreciate the beautiful nature surrounding you.
Longyear Museum: Unleash your inner history buff by checking out the Longyear Museum. Tour the houses of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, and learn about the lives and history of the people who lived in them.
Oath Pizza: With pizza made only with the best ingredients, homemade sauces, and humanely raised proteins, Oath Pizza serves up a rotating menu of wild (and tasty) pizza creations. Definitely check this place out if you’re craving a slice.
Explore all that The Street has to offer.
The Street: With plenty of shops and restaurants, The Street is a great place to visit and explore. They also provide a variety of events such as outdoor fitness, live music, kids activities, and more. Check out a few fantastic spots at The Street below!
Showcase SuperLux Movie Theatre: Consider treating yourself to a luxurious cinema experience. With comfortable reclining seats, delicious food, and a wait staff, you’ll not only enjoy a movie, you’ll enjoy a great meal, too.
Aquitaine: Aquitaine is a delightful restaurant serving up French cuisine. Sit down and enjoy delicious french onion soup au gratinee or burrata fromage, then for your main course try the duck barigoule or the unexpected veal schnitzel!
OddFellows Ice Cream Co.: This Brooklyn-native company creates unique flavors of ice cream that are sure to wow you. If you’re looking to try a flavor that’s off the beaten path, consider trying exotic fruits sorbet, ricotta lemon spongecake, or Brooklyn blackout.
Bianca: With everything from sushi tacos to Roman-style pizza, Bianca will have something to satisfy your hunger. They’re open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, so be sure to stop by for a delicious meal.
Let us know if you check out any of these wonderful places, and tell us if we should add one of your favorites to our list!
Dwell360 is an elite residential real estate firm based in Newton, Massachusetts, servicing the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. Dwell360 is a leader in luxury real estate throughout Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, and other communities of the greater Boston area and on Cape Cod. Search for homes in Massachusetts or give us a call!
Sources
Historic Newton. Chestnut Hill. Retrieved from https://www.newtonma.gov/government/historic-newton/research/newton-history/villages/chestnut-hill.
Trip Advisor. Things to Do Near Chestnut Hill Station. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionsNear-g41707-d9571791-Chestnut_Hill-Newton_Massachusetts.html.
Boston College. Mission & History. Retrieved from https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/about/mission.html.
