All There Is to Know about the H.M. Sears Mansion
287 Commonwealth Avenue is a building set on two lots on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue. The building that currently stands was designed by architects Rotch and Tilden, and built between 1892 and 1893. Arthur Rotch and George Tilden both studied at MIT and Ecole de Beaux-Arts. Isn’t it obvious? They designed a total of 17 homes in the Back Bay, and were known as “society architects.”
The home was commissioned by Herbert Mason Sears and his wife, Caroline Barlett Sears. Interesting enough, while the home was being built, the couple lived at 170 Beacon. Upon their departure, Thomas Jefferson Coolidge took their place at 170.
Their home at 287 Commonwealth was completed in 1893, at which point they moved in. They were so happy. Shortly thereafter, they brought in Ogden Codman Jr. to spice up the interior. Ogden Codman Jr. was an interior designer (and architect) working in the Beaux-Arts style. He and Edith Wharton together wrote The Decoration of Houses (1897). Some of his works include The Breakers, in Newport, RI, Kykuit in Pocantico, NY and Frederick W. Vanderbuilt’s Hyde Park and Fifth Avenue Mansions.
In early 1908, Caroline died. Her husband lived in the home until his death in 1942. It was then purchased by Lillian F. Reilly Clinkard, who didn’t even own the home for an entire year. She sold it to Fred L. Arat and his wife Annette Flossie Crovo Boggiano Arata. He was an investor, and never lived in the home. He instead converted the home into a lodging house with between 12 and 14 rooms. Yikes!
The property remained in the Arata family until 1960, when is was sold to Dr. Edward Francis Bowman. He maintained the property as an apartment building, but also moved his practice there.
In 1964, The International Institute of Boston purchased the property from Dr. Bowman. The International Institute of Boston was an affiliate organization of the YWCA, designed to help first and second generation immigrant women. It offered English classes, facilitated community involvement and helped with employment, housing and naturalization. The Institute converted the building from apartments to offices and meeting rooms.
The building was unchanged until 1997, when it was purchased by Gordon Reger, who a month later, transferred the property to 287 Commonwealth, Inc. The building was then renovated, resulting in six condominiums and given a name, the H. M. Sears House. You know, after Herbert Mason Sears.
To take it even further, one of these condos is for sale. That’s right, you have the opportunity to own a piece of Back Bay history. Not only is the story of the building thrilling, a Boston Brahmin’s home designed and decorated by the best of the era, turned lodging house-- but the condo for sale is spectacular.
It’s a four bedroom, three and a half bathroom condo spread over 3,200 square feet, and essentially a single floor. I say essentially, because there are a few steps separating the front and rear halves of the unit.
This place is impressive. Just look at it! Those ceilings are 14 feet. The wood paneling is magnificent, with large windows opening to the greenery of the Comm Ave Mall. No Realtor will ever tell you that the fireplaces work, but I may have seen what appeared to be ashes.
The master bedroom is imposing with its large scale and fine woodwork. The hidden cedar closet is a nice touch too. And wait til you see the bathroom! I think Ogden Codman would approve.
I thought the kitchen was a little small, but who cooks these days anyway. Just kidding! Lunch was being served in the actual kitchen, so I opted out of taking photos. It was very stylish though. Quite large, tons of storage and had a breakfast bar as well as a comfortable seating area.
On top of all of this, it also includes two parking spaces! All of this can be yours for $6,695,000. The condo fee is exceptionally low at $1,350 a month and the taxes aren’t bad either at around $43,000 a year. But I have a feeling a reassessment will occur shortly after this sale. P.S. there’s another “off market” listing available in the H. M. Sears Mansion, but I can only tell you about it if you ask. Sh.
If you have any questions about this building or condo, just ask! If you’d like to find a property like this for your next home, I can help there too. I can be reached at any time! My cellphone is 617 528 8461 and my email address is willy.charleton@nemoves.com .
Again, a huge shoutout to BackBayHouses.org and Historic New England. You’re a wealth of information!