Pond’s Edge Estate

Chestnut Hill

This formerly derelict estate was transformed and revitalized to reconnect the existing early twentieth-century architecture—a 1911 Chapman and Frazer-designed craftsman-style house—to a now thriving and inspiring environment. Defining scenic features of the site include a steep slope, striking views, and a decorative pond. Adjacent to the Hammond Pond Reservation, the property is located within the historic district of Chestnut Hill.

To address the owner’s wishes to rejuvenate the garden in the spirit of the neighborhood’s traditional character, the steep terrain was terraced to maximize sightlines from the house, offer mystery from the street, and delight from within the garden itself. New stone walls safeguard the pool, define entertaining and recreation areas, and display an organized transition from the house to the landscape beyond. Overgrown spaces were selectively cleared to sustain a variety of indigenous and heritage plant life. Hedges, gates, and entry piers beckon, guide, and add formality within the natural abundance. The pond was dredged and rescaled to become—along with a contiguous wet meadow—the focal point of the garden and a functional ecosystem once again.

Collaborators: Meyer & Meyer Architects, Paragon Landscape Construction, EcoTerra Design; Photographers: Greg Premru, Neil Landino
Awards: BSLA Merit Award for Design, 2019, Bulfinch Award, 2020