South End’s only remaining intact wood-frame house on sale for first time in 30-plus years

The bones of the five-bedroom, three-bathroom house at 5 Haven Street in the South End date from the early 1830s. That vintage and the spread’s wood frame make it the oldest such intact house in the entire South End of Boston.

In fact, according to the listing from Keller Williams’ Steven Cohen, 5 Haven is the second-oldest building in the South End, period, after the Porter Houses at 1724-1728 Washington Street (those date from the first decade of the 19th century).

It is not entirely clear how the house came to be, though there are theories. One is that it was simply built where it is now, and survived the vicissitudes of Boston’s churn and change. Another is that it was moved from elsewhere, maybe from where Blackstone Square is now. It might even have been a tavern, rather than a house, at one point.

Whatever the history, it’s old and on sale for the first time in three-plus decades, according to the listing. The 2,470-square-foot house—that figure does not include the crawl space or the deck—wants $2.85 million. What’d you think?

Photos courtesy of Keller Williams/Steve Cohen Team

Photos courtesy of Keller Williams/Steve Cohen Team

Photos courtesy of Keller Williams/Steve Cohen Team

Photos courtesy of Keller Williams/Steve Cohen Team

Photos courtesy of Keller Williams/Steve Cohen Team

Photos courtesy of Keller Williams/Steve Cohen Team

Photos courtesy of Keller Williams/Steve Cohen Team