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Sold for $13,500,000 on 06/17/25
  • $13,500,000

    181 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116

    --beds
    12,171sqft
    5+ Family - Rooming House
    Built in 1880
    -- sqft lot
    $14,039,300 Zestimate®
    $1,109/sqft
    $5,035 Estimated rent

    Home value

    $14,039,300

    $10.81M - $17.97M

    $5,035/mo

    Zestimate® history
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    $81,031/mo

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    What's special

    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.

    Zillow last checked: 8 hours ago

    Listing updated: June 17, 2025 at 10:38am

    Listed by:

    Paul Gleason 617-262-1470,

    Fairfield Realty 617-262-1470,

    Paul Gleason 617-262-1470

    Bought with:

    Jeffrey N. Shuman

    Luxury Residential Group, LLC

    Source: MLS PIN,MLS#: 73210349

    Facts & features

    Interior

    Bedrooms & bathrooms
    • Bathrooms: 13
    • Full bathrooms: 12
    • 1/2 bathrooms: 1
    Features
    • Flooring: Wood
    • Basement: Full
    • Number of fireplaces: 6
    Interior area
    • Total structure area: 12,171
    • Total interior livable area: 12,171 sqft
    • Finished area above ground: 12,171

    Property

    Parking
    • Total spaces: 3
    • Parking features: Off Street
    • Uncovered spaces: 3
    Features
    • Has view: Yes
    • View description: City View(s)
    • Frontage length: 24.00
    Lot
    • Size: 3,237 sqft
    Details
    • Parcel number: 05 02950 000,3351436
    • Zoning: Dormitory

    Construction

    Type & style
    • Home type: MultiFamily
    • Property subtype: 5+ Family - Rooming House
    Materials
    • Stone
    • Foundation: Block
    • Roof: Rubber
    Condition
    • Year built: 1880

    Utilities & green energy

    • Sewer: Public Sewer
    • Water: Public

    Community & neighborhood

    Community
    • Community features: Public Transportation, Shopping
    Location
    • Region: Boston

    HOA & financial

    Other financial information
    • Total actual rent: 0

    Price history

    DateEventPrice
    6/17/2025Sold$13,500,000-9.4%$1,109/sqft
    Source: MLS PIN #73210349
    1/16/2025Contingent$14,900,000$1,224/sqft
    Source: MLS PIN #73210349
    12/2/2024Price change$14,900,000-6.3%$1,224/sqft
    Source: MLS PIN #73210349
    10/8/2024Price change$15,900,000-6.5%$1,306/sqft
    Source: MLS PIN #73210349
    6/26/2024Price change$17,000,000-12.8%$1,397/sqft
    Source: MLS PIN #73210349

    Public tax history

    YearProperty taxesTax assessment
    2025$52,895 +9.3%$4,567,800 +2.9%
    2024$48,401 +4.6%$4,440,500 +3.1%
    2023$46,253 +6.2%$4,306,600 +7.6%

    Find assessor info on the county website

    Neighborhood: Back Bay

    Nearby schools

    GreatSchools rating
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    Estimated market value

    $14,039,300

    Get a cash offer in 3 minutes

    Find out how much your home could sell for in as little as 3 minutes with a no-obligation cash offer.

    Estimated market value

    $14,039,300