191 Commonwealth Avenue, Penthouse 61 Back Bay | Boston, Massachusetts
Presenting your chance to own a truly exquisite residence in one of Boston?s most storied landmark buildings: The Penthouse atop the former Agassiz Hotel. Overlooking the grand Commonwealth Avenue Mall, this elegant south-facing penthouse has been meticulously restored over two years of renovation. Enjoy nearly 4,100 square feet of luxurious living space all on one level, complete with a majestic receiving foyer, four bedrooms, soaring ceilings, four exposures, multiple skylights and magnificent city views. 191 Commonwealth Avenue is an exclusive concierge building with superior live-in and professional management.
BU I L DI N G FEAT U RES 16 Units | All Owner-Occupied Concierge Services and Live-In Superintendent Professionally Managed by First Residential Services Pet and Rental Restrictions (See Condo-Docs) New: Roof, Standpipe, Elevator
PROPERT Y DETAI L S Price: $9,350,000 Living Area: 4,072 +/ - Sq. Ft. Bedrooms: 3+ | Bathrooms: 3.5 Parking: Rental parking available for $425/ month 2021 Taxes: $51,850.01 Condo Fee: $2,335.77* * Includes water, sewer, master insurance, elevator, exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow removal, extra storage, refuse removal, and reserve funds
FEAT U RES & U PGRADES Living Room Custom designed Statuario marble fireplace
Study Custom designed white Carrara marble fireplace
Heating / Cooling New Mitsubishi 5-zone heating and cooling system New ductwork throughout Honeywell thermostats with WiFi controls Custom architectural grates throughout
Flood Protection / WiFi / Alarm Flologic water shut-off system to prevent leaks Black Lab Security fire, water, and security alarm system Wireless networking system with 5 access points
Flooring New white oak flooring with oil based finish Combination of Chevron and Straight-Lay patterns throughout Marble mosaic tiles in entry foyer
Doors & Moldings Custom designed with attention to detail
Windows Combination of new and restored windows with brass chains and pulleys
Skylights Dramatic dining room skylight with 19?height peak Two remote-controlled skylights by Velux with shades & screens in kitchen All six skylights recently replaced
Kitchen Thermador induction cooktop and oven
Custom millwork
Subzero refrigerator
Perrin & Rowe kitchen faucet
Subzero two-drawer freezer and wine refrigerator in Butler?s Pantry
Franke sink
Miele dishwasher
10?island with white Carrara marble
Garbage disposal
White Carrara marble countertop and backsplash
Bathrooms Perrin & Rowe plumbing fixtures and Toto toilets in all bathrooms Mast er Bat hroom Bianco Carrara marble tile shower stall Custom designed Waterworks double-sink vanity with Breccia Capraia marble Waterworks cast iron freestanding tub Radiant heat flooring Second Bat hroom Bianco Carrara marble tile floors Ann Sacks shower tile Kohler cast iron tub Waterworks fire clay washstand Radiant heat flooring Third Bat hroom Ann Sacks tiles in shower stall & floors Powder Bat hroom Bianco Carrara marble tile floors Custom designed Waterworks double sink vanity with Breccia Capraia marble
H I ST ORY Synonymous with luxury travel since it opened in 1873, the Agassiz Hotel quickly became known as the spot for gracious in-town living in the early 20th century. In May of 1973, its address at 191 Commonwealth was converted into sixteen owner-occupied condominiums. Positioned at the northeast corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Exeter Street, 191 Commonwealth Avenue was originally built for and
named the Agassiz Hotel for the Agassiz family, comprised of Alexander Agassiz, his brother-in-law, Henry Lee Higginson, and likely his father, George Higginson, a founding partner in the investment banking firm of Lee, Higginson & Co. Alexander Agassiz was developer of the Calumet and Hecla Copper Mines. His father, Louis Agassiz, was the esteemed Harvard zoologist. Henry Lee Higginson, called ?The Major? due to his military service during the Civil War, was a partner in Lee, Higginson & Co. and the husband of Alexander
Agassiz?s sister, Ida. Henry Lee Higginson is perhaps best known for establishing the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1881 and for sustaining it for years thereafter. Henry and Ida (Agassiz) Higginson resided at the Agassiz Hotel from the time it was built until they died, he in November of 1919, and she in May of 1935. ?Alexander Agassiz and others? are named the owners on the original building application, dated August 7, 1872, and on the final building inspection, dated December 29, 1873. The six floor-through apartments, referred to as ?French flats?, were designed by the architectural firm of Weston and Rand and built by Weston and Sheppard in 1872. 185 Commonwealth Avenue was constructed immediately to the east sometime after the Agassiz Hotel was completed in 1873. 185 Commonwealth is depicted as a vacant lot on the 1874 Hopkins map, but as a completed house on 1883 Bromley map. On that map, 185 Commonwealth Avenue is shown as owned by George Higginson and depicted as a separate structure from 191 Commonwealth. It was incorporated into the Agassiz Hotel by 1888, with the separate front entrance eliminated. Alexander Agassiz and George and Henry Lee Higginson are shown as the owners of the combined property, with the address of 191 Commonwealth, on the 1888 and 1890 Bromley maps. According to Bainbridge Bunting?s House of Boston?s Back Bay, 185 Commonwealth was designed by architect James Smith and built in 1883 for William Bradley. Conversely, the 1883 Bromley map indicates that the structure has already been erected and was owned by George Higgison. Seemingly, Bunting mistakenly classified the information for 179 Commonwealth under his heading for 185 Commonwealth. Dated March 14, 1883, the original building permit application for 179 Commonwealth states that it was built in 1883 for William Bradley, that James Smith was the builder, and that Carl
Fehmer was the architect. Alexander Agassiz and George and Ida (Agassiz) Higginson are declared the owners of the Agassiz Hotel on the 1895, 1898 and 1908 Bromley maps. Alexander Agassiz passed away in March of 1910. Ownership of the hotel was subsequently assigned to his son, George Russell Agassiz, et al. The change of ownership was reported by the Boston Globe on February 9, 1912, indicating that ?this is simply a formal transfer.? By 1917, 191 Commonwealth was owned by Charles Francis Adams II, et al, trustees. They were subsequently noted as the owners on the 1928 and 1938 Bromley maps. By 1935, the number of units had increased from six to nine. Between 1935 and 1938, several of the larger apartments on the third, fourth and fifth floors were subdivided, and the number of units increased to fourteen. In 1952, a larger apartment on the second floor was subdivided into three, and the number of units increased to sixteen. 191 Commonwealth was owned by Beatrice M. Coulter by 1965. In the spring of that year, she sold the building to the Munick Realty Trust. The Boston Globe reported the sale on May 9, 1965. It commented: ?Over the past 91 years, the original six apartments, with about 18 to 20 rooms each, have been modified and today there are 16 apartments with about 6 to 10 rooms each. The original 21 water closets have been replaced by modern bathrooms, and the fireplaces are no longer required to provide heat. Designed to provide luxury living, the former Hotel Agassiz, with its 11-foot ceilings, still provides the finest in gracious intown living, and is another example of the fine ?Old Boston?just a few blocks away from Boston?s newest and tallest structure, the Prudential Tower.?
Sourced from: www.BackBayHouses.org/ 191-Commonwealth
EXCL U SI VELY L I ST ED BY William Mont ero Boston Luxury Real Estate Advisor 617.312.7232 | William.Montero@GibsonSIR.com
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