Otis & Ahearn Announces the Sale of 15 Commonwealth Avenue, One of Boston’s Most Historic Homes
Magnificent Back Bay Residence Closes for US$12.5 million, the Year’s Highest Residential Sale in Massachusetts To Date
Boston, Massachusetts—One of Boston’s most historic and architecturally important homes, 15 Commonwealth Avenue, has sold for US$12.5 million. Listed by Christie’s International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate Otis & Ahearn Real Estate, the sale marks the highest residential transaction to date this year in Massachusetts. The exquisitely designed masterpiece closed on March 30th and was represented by the firm’s Senior Vice President, Jeannemarie Conley.
With more than 15,000 square feet of living space, 15 Commonwealth Avenue features striking brickwork and a symmetrical façade measuring an impressive 50 feet in width. The home’s heritage is evident everywhere, from the built-in mirrors over the seven marble fireplaces to the burled walnut paneling with its sinewy design of carved garlands and acanthus leaves. The inlaid floors and antique fixtures have been carefully restored to their original splendor, and the ornamental plaster ceilings and elaborate decorative moldings remain intact in almost every room.
“With its rare 50 foot frontage, grand architecture, and stunning city views, this historic Boston landmark is truly one of the last of its kind,” said listing agent Jeannemarie Conley. “It has been a great honor to represent this magnificent estate.”
15 Commonwealth Avenue boasts an exceptional provenance—many of its former owners were prominent figures in Boston’s rich history. The property’s first owner was Congressman Samuel Hooper, who bought the parcel for US$72,878 in May 1860. Seven years later, the lot was sold to ship owner William D. Pickman who enlisted highly regarded architectural firm Snell and Gregerson—who built the University Museum and Memorial Hall at Harvard University—to build the lofty five story townhouse. In 1946, new owner Frederick Bashaw converted the property from a single-family dwelling into a school and it has most been recently used to house the offices of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute.
Built in 1867, the property is situated in the heart of the prestigious Back Bay neighborhood, just one-half block West of Boston's Public Garden, the first public botanical garden in the United States, and three blocks South of the scenic Charles River Esplanade. The original constructions on Commonwealth Avenue were designed as residences for Boston’s entrepreneurial class, but over time these large structures have lent themselves to more institutional uses.
"The new millennium has seen a return of the entrepreneurial class and their families to Boston's premier neighborhood evidenced by the recent sale of 15 Commonwealth Avenue,” said Conley. The property was sold to an undisclosed buyer and will be converted to a single family home, she added.
About Otis & Ahearn Real Estate Since its establishment in 1978, Otis & Ahearn has been a premier provider of residential brokerage services in downtown Boston. A leader in luxury residential sales and new development sales and marketing, Otis & Ahearn is the recognized source of accurate market data. The company has five offices: Back Bay, Waterfront, Seaport, Charlestown and the luxury rental office in the North End.
