NOT LISTED FOR SALE

257 Commonwealth Ave Unit 5 Boston, MA 02116

Back Bay Neighborhood

Estimated Value: $5,359,517

3 Beds
3 Baths
3,136 Sq Ft
3,049 Sq Ft Lot

Sale Details

Date Sold: October 29, 2021

Last sale price $5,650,000 $1,802 Per Sq Ft

Est. 5% decrease in value since last sale

Current estimated payment $35,266 / mo

5 Days on Market

Highlights

  • Open Floorplan
  • Wood Flooring
  • Beamed Ceilings
  • Custom Closet System
  • Solid Surface Countertops
  • Balcony

About This Home

As of October 2021

Newly renovated with refined flair in an elegant loft-like environment, this duplex penthouse is situated in a grand c. 1886 McKim Mead & White mansion on the boulevard’s south-facing side in the heart of Back Bay. Overlooking the sweeping cityscape, with front/back decks, this luxurious residence is accessible by elevator from its garage space and also features additional parking right outside. Natural light streams into the 2-story skylit atrium with open staircase. Anchored by a dramatic fireplace, the bowfront great room is set off by beautiful European oak floors. A sleek mix of form and function, the dine-in chef’s kitchen has polished concrete floors, Gaggenau appliances and stone counters. Opening to a deck, the window-walled family room features a fireplace and media center. Another deck opens off the primary bedroom suite offering abundant closets and a luxe bath with jetted tub and shower. Amenities include 4-zone HVAC, a Sonos sound system and a storage room by the garage.

Last Agent to Sell the Property

George Ballantyne

Gibson Sotheby's International Realty Listed on: 09/23/2021

Gibson Sotheby's International Realty

Last Buyer's Agent

Beth Dickerson

Gibson Sotheby's International Realty

Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
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Property Details

Home Type

  • Condominium

Year Built

  • 1900

Lot Details

  • 3,049

HOA Fees

  • $1,238 per month

Parking

  • 1

Interior Spaces

  • Open Floorplan
  • Beamed Ceilings
  • Ceiling Fan
  • Skylights
  • Recessed Lighting
  • Sliding Doors
  • Dining Area
  • Solid Surface Countertops

Flooring

  • Wood
  • Ceramic Tile

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

  • Custom Closet System
  • Walk-In Closet
  • Double Vanity
  • Soaking Tub
  • Bathtub with Shower
  • Bathtub Includes Tile Surround
  • Separate Shower

Outdoor Features

  • Balcony

Utilities

  • 4 Cooling Zones
  • 4 Heating Zones

Property Details

Home Type

Condominium

Year Built

1900

Lot Details

3,049 Sq Ft Lot

HOA Fees

$1,238 per month

Parking

1

Listing Details

  • Property Type: Residential
  • Property Sub Type: Condominium
  • SUB AGENCY OFFERED: No
  • Year Round: Yes
  • Compensation Based On: Gross/Full Sale Price
  • Carport Y N: No
  • Directions: Between Fairfield and Gloucester Streets
  • Garage Yn: Yes
  • Structure Type: Townhouse
  • Year Built Details: Approximate
  • Special Features: None
  • Year Built: 1900

Interior Features

  • Appliances: Range,Oven,Dishwasher,Disposal,Microwave,Refrigerator,Freezer,Washer,Dryer,Range Hood, Gas Water Heater,Tank Water Heater, Utility Connections for Electric Range, Utility Connections for Electric Oven, Utility Connections for Electric Dryer
  • Entry Location: Unit Placement(Upper)
  • Fireplace Features: Living Room
  • Room Bedroom2 Features: Flooring - Hardwood, Recessed Lighting
  • Room Bedroom3 Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Hardwood, Recessed Lighting
  • Room Master Bedroom Features: Ceiling Fan(s), Walk-In Closet(s), Closet, Flooring - Hardwood, Balcony / Deck, Recessed Lighting, Slider
  • Master Bathroom Features: Yes
  • Bathroom 1 Features: Bathroom - Full, Bathroom - Double Vanity/Sink, Bathroom - Tiled With Shower Stall, Bathroom - Tiled With Tub, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Jacuzzi / Whirlpool Soaking Tub
  • Bathroom 2 Features: Bathroom - Full, Bathroom - Tiled With Tub & Shower, Countertops - Stone/Granite/Solid
  • Bathroom 3 Features: Bathroom - Tiled With Shower Stall, Flooring - Stone/Ceramic Tile, Countertops - Stone/Granite/Solid, Recessed Lighting
  • Room Family Room Features: Exterior Access, Open Floorplan, Recessed Lighting, Slider
  • Room Kitchen Features: Skylight, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Dining Area, Countertops - Stone/Granite/Solid, Recessed Lighting
  • Room Living Room Features: Beamed Ceilings, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Hardwood, Open Floorplan, Recessed Lighting
  • MAIN LO: BB5918
  • MAIN SO: BB5918
  • Full Bathrooms: 3
  • Total Bedrooms: 3
  • Fireplace: Yes
  • Fireplaces: 2
  • Flooring: Tile, Concrete, Marble, Hardwood, Stone / Slate, Flooring - Stone/Ceramic Tile
  • Interior Amenities: Recessed Lighting, Entrance Foyer, Wet Bar
  • Private Spa: Yes
  • Stories: 2

Exterior Features

  • Roof: Rubber
  • View: City
  • Construction Type: Brick
  • Disclosures: Bedroom #3 Has A Murphy Bed, Custom Built-Ins, No Closet.
  • Patio And Porch Features: Deck - Wood
  • Waterfront: No

Garage/Parking

  • Parking Features: Under, Garage Door Opener, Deeded, Off Street, Paved
  • Attached Garage: Yes
  • Covered Parking Spaces: 1
  • Garage Spaces: 1
  • Open Parking: Yes
  • Total Parking Spaces: 1

Utilities

  • Cooling: Heat Pump
  • Heating: Heat Pump
  • HEAT ZONES: 4
  • COOLING ZONES: 4
  • Cooling Y N: Yes
  • Electric: Circuit Breakers, 200+ Amp Service
  • Heating Yn: Yes
  • Laundry Features: Skylight, Flooring - Hardwood, In Unit, Washer Hookup
  • Security: Intercom, Security System
  • Sewer: Public Sewer
  • Utilities: for Electric Range, for Electric Oven, for Electric Dryer, Washer Hookup
  • Water Source: Public

Condo/Co-op/Association

  • MANAGEMENT: Professional - Off Site
  • Amenities: Elevator(s), Garden Area
  • Association Fee: 1238
  • Association Fee Frequency: Monthly
  • Association: Yes
  • Community Features: Public Transportation, Shopping, Tennis Court(s), Park, Walk/Jog Trails, Bike Path, Private School, Public School, T-Station, University
  • Pets Allowed: Breed Restrictions

Fee Information

  • Association Fee Includes: Water, Sewer, Insurance, Maintenance Structure, Maintenance Grounds, Snow Removal

Lot Info

  • LOT SIZE: 3136
  • OUTDOOR SPACE AVAILABLE: Yes - Private
  • Farm Land Area Units: Square Feet
  • Lot Size Sq Ft: 3049.2
  • Zoning: CD

Multi Family

  • Number Of Units Total: 6

Tax Info

  • Tax Annual Amount: 44906
  • Tax Book Number: 54014
  • Tax Year: 2021

Ownership History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Date Name Owned For Owner Type

Purchase Details

Closed on
May 8, 2026
Sold by
Bought by
Current Estimated Value
$5,359,517

Purchase Details

Listed on
Sep 23, 2021
Closed on
Oct 21, 2021
Sold by
Bought by
Seller's Agent
George Ballantyne
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
Buyer's Agent
Beth Dickerson
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
List Price
$5,650,000
Sold Price
$5,650,000

Home Financials for this Owner

Home Financials are based on the most recent Mortgage that was taken out on this home.
Avg. Annual Appreciation
-1.10%

Purchase Details

Listed on
Sep 16, 2014
Closed on
Feb 3, 2015
Sold by
Bought by
Seller's Agent
Lois Kunian
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
Buyer's Agent
George Ballantyne
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
List Price
$4,585,000
Sold Price
$4,250,000
Premium/Discount to List
-$335,000
-7.31%

Home Financials for this Owner

Home Financials are based on the most recent Mortgage that was taken out on this home.
Avg. Annual Appreciation
4.32%

Purchase Details

Closed on
Apr 7, 2008
Sold by
Bought by
Source: Public Records

Home Values in the Area

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value in this Area





Source: Public Records

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Purchase History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Date Buyer Sale Price Title Company
-- --
$5,650,000 None Available
$4,235,000 --
$3,125,000 --
Source: Public Records

Mortgage History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Date Status Borrower Loan Amount
Closed $1,000,000
Closed $400,000
Source: Public Records

Property History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

Date Event Price List to Sale Price per Sq Ft Prior Sale
10/29/2021 10/29/21 Sold $5,650,000 0.0% $1,802 / Sq Ft
09/29/2021 09/29/21 Pending -- -- --
09/23/2021 09/23/21 For Sale $5,650,000 +32.9% $1,802 / Sq Ft
02/03/2015 02/03/15 Sold $4,250,000 -7.3% $1,355 / Sq Ft View Prior Sale
11/17/2014 11/17/14 Pending -- -- --
09/16/2014 09/16/14 For Sale $4,585,000 -- $1,462 / Sq Ft
Source: MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN)

Tax History

We collect this data history from publicly available records. To have your information removed, we recommend requesting removal directly through your county’s website.

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 $55,193 $4,766,200 $0 $4,766,200
2024 $51,952 $4,766,200 $0 $4,766,200
2023 $48,560 $4,521,400 $0 $4,521,400
2022 $45,790 $4,208,600 $0 $4,208,600
2021 $44,906 $4,208,600 $0 $4,208,600
2020 $41,841 $3,962,200 $0 $3,962,200
2019 $40,942 $3,884,476 $0 $3,884,476
2018 $38,405 $3,664,600 $0 $3,664,600
2017 $37,316 $3,523,681 $0 $3,523,681
2016 $36,225 $3,293,160 $0 $3,293,160
2015 $33,233 $2,744,300 $0 $2,744,300
2014 $30,693 $2,439,800 $0 $2,439,800
Source: Public Records

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Map

Source: MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN)

MLS Number: 72899445

MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN)

APN: CBOS-000000-000005-003398-000010

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