$13,500,000
SOLD JUN 17, 2025

181 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA 02116

Back Bay Neighborhood
-- Bed
12.5 Baths
12,171 Sq Ft
3,237 Sq Ft Lot

Recently Sold

$1,109 Per Sq Ft

9% Below List Price

312 Days on Market

Highlights

  • City View
  • 4-minute walk to Copley Station
  • 6 Fireplaces
  • Property is near public transit
  • Wood Flooring
  • 1-minute walk to Commonwealth Avenue Mall

About This Home

As of June 2025

FIVE FLOORS OF FABULOUS POTENTIAL IN PRESTIGE COMMONWEALTH AVE BOSTON LOCATION. One-of-a-kind opportunity to bring back the glory of this extra-wide, 12,500+ SF sunny-side Commonwealth Ave sleeping beauty. Overlooking the magnolias and the Comm Ave Mall. It's a dream come true for the discriminating owner or developer. Imagine a unique private family home or take advantage of six levels to create gorgeous, spacious condominiums topped by a duplex penthouse extraordinaire with roof deck and views all the way to Kenmore Square. Built in 1878 and home to various Boston Brahmins for many years before becoming student housing, the building has not been available for sale for more than 55 years. It is now offered as one of the last brownstones on Commonwealth Ave that still offers single family potential. With ample parking, a prestige Back Bay location, and carte blanche to create your own masterpiece, this is a rare and remarkable offering.

Last Agent to Sell the Property

Paul Gleason

Fairfield Realty Listed on: 03/08/2024

Last Buyer's Agent

Jeffrey Shuman

Luxury Residential Group, LLC

Property Details

Home Type

  • Multi-Family

Est. Annual Taxes

  • $48,401

Year Built

  • Built in 1880

Home Design

  • Block Foundation
  • Rubber Roof
  • Stone

Interior Spaces

  • 12,171 Sq Ft Home
  • 6 Fireplaces
  • Wood Flooring
  • City Views
  • Basement Fills Entire Space Under The House

Parking

  • 3 Car Parking Spaces
  • Off-Street Parking

Additional Features

  • 3,237 Sq Ft Lot
  • Property is near public transit

Listing and Financial Details

  • Assessor Parcel Number 05 02950 000,3351436

Community Details

Overview

  • 17 Units
  • Property has 1 Level

Amenities

  • Shops

Property Details

Home Type

Multi-Family

Est. Annual Taxes

$48,401

Year Built

Built in 1880

Lot Details

0

Listing Details

  • Property Type: Residential Income
  • Property Sub Type: 5+ Family - Rooming House
  • Year Built: 1880
  • Levels: 6
  • Year Built Details: Approximate
  • SUB AGENCY OFFERED: No
  • Compensation Based On: Gross/Full Sale Price
  • APOD AVAILABLE: No
  • Special Features: None
  • Stories: 6

Interior Features

  • Flooring: Wood
  • Fireplace YN: Yes
  • Fireplaces: 6
  • Full Bathrooms: 12
  • Half Bathrooms: 1
  • Total Bathrooms: 13
  • Basement: Full
  • Above Grade Finished Sq Ft: 12171
  • Living Area: 12171
  • Spa YN: No
  • Stories Total: 6
  • MAIN LO: NB4445
  • MAIN SO: NB5077

Exterior Features

  • Construction Materials: Stone
  • Foundation Details: Block
  • Home Warranty YN: No
  • Road Frontage Type: Public
  • Roof: Rubber
  • View: City View(s)
  • View YN: Yes
  • Waterfront YN: No

Garage/Parking

  • Garage YN: No
  • Parking Features: Off Street
  • Total Parking Spaces: 3

Utilities

  • Sewer: Public Sewer
  • Water Source: Public
  • SEWAGE DISTRICT: BWS
  • Hot Water: Oil

Condo/Co-op/Association

  • Community Features: Public Transportation, Shopping
  • Senior Community YN: No

Lot Info

  • Parcel Number: 05 02950 000,3351436
  • Zoning: Dormitory
  • Farm Land Area Units: Square Feet
  • Lot Size Acres: 0.07
  • Lot Size Sq Ft: 3237
  • Lot Size Units: Acres

Tax Info

  • Tax Year: 2024
  • Tax Annual Amount: 48401

Multi Family

  • Number Of Units Total: 17
  • LEVELS 1: 1
  • Basement Included Sq Ft: No
  • LEASE 2: N
  • LEASE 1: N

Ownership History

Date Name Owned For Owner Type

Purchase Details

Listed on
Mar 8, 2024
Closed on
Jun 16, 2025
Sold by
Commonwealth Rt Special and Musco
Bought by
181 Commave Llc
Seller's Agent
Paul Gleason
Fairfield Realty
Buyer's Agent
Jeffrey Shuman
Luxury Residential Group, LLC
List Price
$14,900,000
Sold Price
$13,500,000
Premium/Discount to List
-$1,400,000
-9.4%
Views
169

Home Financials for this Owner

Home Financials are based on the most recent Mortgage that was taken out on this home.
Original Mortgage
$19,000,000
Interest Rate
6.76%
Mortgage Type
Purchase Money Mortgage
Source: Public Records

Range of Values:

--
Value Increase
--
Percent Increase
--
Adjusted for Inflation
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Average Value
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List Price
Sold Price
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Home Values in the Area

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value in this Area





Source: Public Records

Purchase History

Date Type Sale Price Title Company
Quit Claim Deed $13,500,000 None Available
Quit Claim Deed $13,500,000 None Available
Source: Public Records

Mortgage History

Date Status Loan Amount Loan Type
Previous Owner $19,000,000 Purchase Money Mortgage
Source: Public Records

Property History

Date Event Price List to Sale Price per Sq Ft
06/17/2025 06/17/25 Sold $13,500,000 -9.4% $1,109 / Sq Ft
01/15/2025 01/15/25 Pending -- -- --
01/03/2025 01/03/25 For Sale $14,900,000 +10.4% $1,224 / Sq Ft
12/31/2024 12/31/24 Off Market $13,500,000 -- --
12/02/2024 12/02/24 Price Changed $14,900,000 -6.3% $1,224 / Sq Ft
10/08/2024 10/08/24 Price Changed $15,900,000 -6.5% $1,306 / Sq Ft
09/03/2024 09/03/24 For Sale $17,000,000 +25.9% $1,397 / Sq Ft
08/31/2024 08/31/24 Off Market $13,500,000 -- --
06/26/2024 06/26/24 Price Changed $17,000,000 -12.8% $1,397 / Sq Ft
03/08/2024 03/08/24 For Sale $19,500,000 -- $1,602 / Sq Ft
Source: MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN)

Tax History Compared to Growth

Source: Public Records

Tax History

Year Tax Paid Tax Assessment Tax Assessment Total Assessment is a certain percentage of the fair market value that is determined by local assessors to be the total taxable value of land and additions on the property. Land Improvement
2025 $52,895 $4,567,800 $1,385,400 $3,182,400
2024 $48,401 $4,440,500 $1,385,400 $3,055,100
2023 $46,253 $4,306,600 $1,385,400 $2,921,200
2022 $43,559 $4,003,600 $1,385,400 $2,618,200
2021 $42,071 $3,942,900 $1,253,400 $2,689,500
2020 $41,637 $3,942,900 $1,253,400 $2,689,500
2019 $40,937 $3,884,000 $1,253,400 $2,630,600
2018 $39,850 $3,802,500 $1,194,100 $2,608,400
2017 $39,014 $3,684,000 $1,138,000 $2,546,000
2016 $37,142 $3,376,500 $1,052,200 $2,324,300
2015 $36,354 $3,002,000 $940,100 $2,061,900
2014 $36,721 $2,919,000 $824,600 $2,094,400
Source: Public Records

Agents Affiliated with this Home

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Map

Source: MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN)

MLS Number: 73210349

MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN)

APN: CBOS-000000-000005-002950