Otis House II, Boston

The second Harrison Gray Otis House is a large, square, Federal-style mansion built in 1800–1802. It stands three stories high, with brick walls laid in Flemish bond, and is set on a parcel with a relatively ample lawn and a semicircular cobblestone drive – a rare surviving remnant of the original vision for the development of Beacon Hill by the Mount Vernon Proprietors.

In this house, Bulfinch made the first floor with his characteristic recessed brick arches, ornamented on this occasion with Chinese fretwork balconies in iron. The facade has four bays, with somewhat odd use of Corinthian pilasters on the second and third floors. There is a roof balustrade and a largish, octagonal cupola. Otis lived here until 1806.

The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It was portrayed as the home of Thomas Crown (Steve McQueen) in the original Thomas Crown Affair film, and as Thomas Banacek's home (George Peppard) in the TV show Banacek (1972-74).

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Daderot.

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

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Sight Name: Otis House II
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Beacon Hill Historic Houses Tour

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