Cambridge, Mass. — Boutique hospitality brand Lark has officially opened its latest and flagship Greater Boston property, Cambridge Common House, bringing a carefully restored 16-room hotel experience to the heart of Harvard Square.
Located at 2 Garden Street on the edge of Harvard Square, Cambridge Common House blends historic architecture with refined, academic-inspired design. The property sits steps from Cambridge Common, a landmark public park known for its tree-lined paths, monuments, and deep historical roots dating back to its use as a military training ground during the Revolutionary era.
Housed in a building once home to the influential Howe family, Cambridge Common House carries nearly two centuries of Cambridge history within its walls. Over time, the structure has served as a gathering place for students, artists, and intellectuals, reflecting the city’s evolution from a post-colonial village into a global center of education, innovation, and civic life.
Today, many of the hotel’s rooms overlook Cambridge Common, reinforcing the property’s connection to the surrounding landscape and its layered past.
The interiors, designed by Newburyport-based Elder & Ash, emphasize a traditional yet elevated aesthetic. The design approach incorporates museum-quality finishes and fixtures, with textured wallpaper in classic stripes and botanical motifs throughout. A palette of deep greens, blues, neutrals, and jewel tones creates a polished but understated atmosphere intended to feel both worldly and intimate.
Architectural details of the original building have been carefully preserved and highlighted through rich woodwork and decorative mouldings. Many rooms feature working fireplaces, offering a warm contrast to Boston’s colder months.
Furniture selections reinforce the property’s historic character, including tufted Chesterfield chairs, mahogany canopy beds in select rooms, and built-in wraparound beds upholstered in deep crimson tones in the smallest accommodations. Floor-to-ceiling striped drapery frames each guest room entrance, designed to evoke the feeling of entering a private pied-à-terre.
While the overall design leans traditional, contemporary abstract artwork is placed throughout the property, introducing a subtle modern counterpoint to the historic setting.
