Whitey Bulger Gang’s Infamous ‘House of Horrors’ May Soon Meet Its Maker

Google Maps; U.S. Marshals Service photo

The South Boston home where merciless gang leader Whitey Bulgur tortured, killed, and even buried his unfortunate victims may soon meet its own maker.

Its new owners are seeking city permission to tear down the unassuming Cape Cod–style home, known as the “The Haunty” for all of the murders that took place there in the 1980s. They plan to transform the gruesome site by putting up a four-unit townhouse development with eight parking spots in its stead, according to a filing obtained by the Boston Globe.

The Boston Landmarks Commission is expected to decide the fate of the “house of horrors” this week.

The pale-green home with black shutters went up for sale in July for $3.5 million. It was marketed as a development opportunity due to its large, 5,000-square-foot lot. It was purchased in September for $3.4 million.

Built in 1885, the original 2.5-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home features an open kitchen and dining room. The property also comes with a rear apartment featuring two master suites and two bathrooms built in 2014. Additionally, there’s a six-car garage and a fenced-in patio.

And then there’s the little matter of the property’s grisly history. Arthur “Bucky” Barrett, John McIntyre, and Deborah Hussey were reportedly murdered and buried in the basement of the main house. At the time of the killings, the basement had a dirt floor.

Those bodies were dug up and moved before the house was sold by Bulger associate Pat Nee‘s brother in 1985. The couple who purchased the property for $120,000 were not affiliated with Bulgur’s gang and raised their two boys in the home. They sold it to its most recent owners for more than 28 times what they paid for the home nearly 35 years earlier.

“South Boston has a dark history. This is one of many properties that has had trauma,” Boston real estate broker Sara Walker, of Bode Well, previously told realtor.com®. Tearing down the house and putting up something new “is an opportunity for the neighborhood to clear some darkness. … It’s healing.”

The landmarks commission is seeking comments from the community on the proposed demolition until Thursday. Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeal gave the demolition the green light on Oct. 8.

In October, Bulger, 89, was beaten to death in prison. He was serving time for some of the murders that were committed in the house.

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