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About this home
Situated on the coveted first block of Commonwealth Avenue, steps from the Public Garden, the historic Ward Mansion blends architectural grandeur with modern luxury. Built in 1864 and meticulously restored, this approximately 8,100-square-foot single-family offers six elevator-served levels, five en-suite bedrooms, and three powder rooms. Exquisite interiors feature custom millwork, quartersawn white oak floors, ornamental ironwork, and exceptional marble. A chef’s kitchen showcases Calacatta Vagli marble, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, and dual Cove dishwashers. Elegant living and dining rooms, a private library, and multiple fireplaces offer refined entertaining. The full-floor primary suite features dual dressing rooms and a marble bath with steam shower. An au pair suite and top-floor lounge with kitchenette and wine storage add versatility. A private roof deck with outdoor kitchen and skyline views, two-car garage, two additional parking spaces, and heated exterior pavers complete this rare Back Bay offering.
Single-familyProperty Type
1864Year Built
2,178 sq ftLot Size
$2,777Price/Sq.Ft.
2 garage spacesParking
Listed by Joshua Stephens• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Warren Residential
Listed by • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Warren Residential
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Around this home
Schools
K - 12
Preschool & daycare
Josiah Quincy Elementary School
Public PreK-5 • Assigned • 0.5mi
8/10
Mel H King Elementary
Public 2-12 • Assigned • 0.6mi
4/10
Snowden Int'L High School
Public 9-12 • Assigned • 0.3mi
2/10
Provided by GreatSchools
About Back Bay
East
Back Bay East, located between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue, is a historic and upscale Boston neighborhood with Victorian brownstones and a polished retail corridor. The neighborhood’s character concentrates around Newbury Street at Berkeley Street, where gallery storefronts, independent boutiques, and sidewalk cafes set a steady, street-level rhythm. Architectural details read in rows of brick townhouses, wrought-iron stoops, and the formal grid laid over former tidal flats. The Boston Public Library’s McKim Building and Trinity Church frame nearby Copley Square as a cultural compass. The Esplanade and Commonwealth Avenue Mall add long, linear green space for walking and cycling. Dining and shopping cluster along Newbury and Boylston, while quieter blocks turn residential behind the main avenues.
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bedroom
Living
Dining
Interior features
15 rooms
Finished basement
Three fireplaces
Intercom
Insulated doors
Insulated windows
Bathrooms
5 full bathrooms
3 half bathrooms
Primary bathroom
Kitchen
Range, dishwasher, refrigerator
Laundry & utility
Washer, dryer
Flooring
Tile, hardwood, stone and slate flooring
Heating & cooling
Hydro-air heating
Central air conditioning
Exterior features
Deck
Rooftop deck
Public road frontage
Home design
Single-family residence
Attached
Parking
Attached garage with 2 spaces
2 open parking spaces
Paved driveway
Off-street parking
Construction
Brick construction
Concrete perimeter and brick-and-mortar foundation
Rubber roof
Renovated; finished and never occupied
Utilities
Public water
Public sewer
Gas range connection
HOA & community
Near public transportation, shopping, parks, walking and jogging trails, medical facilities, highway access, a T station, and a university
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home
Introducing 18 Commonwealth Avenue, ideally located on the first block of Commonwealth Avenue Mall adjacent to Newbury Street with the Public Garden and Back Bay’s finest shops and restaurants at its doorstep. A truly rare find; this home retains several original architectural details and is awaiting a custom renovation to transform it into the masterpiece it once was. Exceptional features include elevator access to every floor, soaring ceiling heights, a grand staircase with skylight, intricate millwork, and ornate fireplaces. There is also the potential to add a roof terrace and garage parking. The building is currently configured as 11 studio apartments with 4 outdoor parking spaces included. This storied home presents an exceedingly unique opportunity for a trophy single-family residence, luxury condo conversion, or investment property in one of Boston’s most desirable locations.
LISTANZA #1
Aug 8, 2023
Rental Removed
$2,150
$0/sq ft
Jul 30, 2023
Listed for Rent
$2,150
$0/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2023
$30,061 (+2.0%)
$1,382,500 + $1,416,500
$2,799,000
2022
$29,477 (+1.9%)
$1,382,500 + $1,326,800
$2,709,300
2021
$28,930 (+4.9%)
$1,374,100 + $1,337,200
$2,711,300
2020
$27,577 (+1.9%)
$1,374,100 + $1,237,400
$2,611,500
2019
$27,072 (+4.9%)
$1,374,000 + $1,194,500
$2,568,500
2018
$25,797 (+1.6%)
$1,309,100 + $1,152,400
$2,461,500
2017
$25,384 (+2.7%)
$1,247,100 + $1,149,900
$2,397,000
2016
$24,723 (−0.6%)
$1,154,000 + $1,093,500
$2,247,500
2015
$24,880 (+8.5%)
$1,029,800 + $1,024,700
$2,054,500
2014
$22,927 (+2.9%)
$902,900 + $919,600
$1,822,500
2013
$22,285 (+12.0%)
$902,900 + $793,100
$1,696,000
2012
$19,899 (+4.4%)
$902,900 + $623,100
$1,526,000
2009
$19,057 (+13.3%)
$902,900 + $587,100
$1,490,000
2006
$16,827
$1,015,700 + $567,300
$1,583,000
Public record
Public record
Permits
Beds
—
Baths
—
Stories
5
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
2,178 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
1980
Finished Sq. Ft.
6,960
Unfinished Sq. Ft.
—
Total Sq. Ft.
6,960
Year built
1920
Style
Multi-Family (5+ Unit)
County
Suffolk County
APN
3358357
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Jul 20, 2023.
Apr 16, 2026 • Final
Electrical fire alarms
Work on a fire alarm.
Electrical
Apr 3, 2026 • Final
Electrical
Work on electrical systems.
Electrical
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Climate risks
6/10 Flood Factor
Estimated 53-65% chance of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
1/10 Fire Factor
Unlikely to be in a wildfire in next 30 years
6/10 Heat Factor
7 days above 97° expected this year, 15 days in 30 years
6/10 Wind Factor
66% chance of strong winds in next 30 years
3/10 Air Factor
3 unhealthy days expected this year, 3 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Boston, MA • 02116
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
34
23
36
24
50
35
58
43
68
54
79
65
83
69
78
64
73
61
63
51
53
41
40
28
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
55/ 100
Moderate sunlight
Sunscore
There appears to be some shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
5.9 hrs
1.8 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 18 Commonwealth Ave
$20,442,384
$2.1M under list price of $22.5M
Nearby comparable homes
The Redfin Estimate uses 6 recent nearby sales, priced between $5.5M to $22.0M.