Top 10s is Curbed Boston's late-week look at a superlative—for better or worse—in the Hub housing market. This week, we keep it simple and yet oh so sweet, with the 10 priciest Back Bay condos on the market right now. Guess who's No. 2? (All data from Trulia, unless otherwise noted.)
10
Where: 45 Commonwealth Avenue, #4
How Much: $4,475,000
Square Footage:
The Skinny: Kicking things off is a 3-BR, 3.5-BA, one of five new condos carved out of two single-family homes off Commonwealth. The listing tells us there is "sophisticated elegance," "fine finishes," and "rich craftsmanship," and we're not inclined to argue—not yet.
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9
Where: 51 Commonwealth Avenue, #B
How Much: $4,775,000
Square Footage: 4,250
The Skinny: You would not have to throw open the windows on this one—according to the listing, it's been "rarely lived-in." Otherwise, the 4-BR, 4-BA has a south-facing living room, "very high" ceilings, a chef's kitchen that opens into a large family room and on to a terrace, enormous bedrooms. Plus, four parking spaces. Not too shabby in these parts.
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8
Where: 128 Beacon Street, #L
How Much: $4,799,000
Square Footage: 3,778
The Skinny: Back Bay just below the $5M mark wins you a 4-BR, 3.5-BA gut renovation with direct elevator access and a fireplace in the living room/dining room. Of course, there's also a fireplace in the den, where there are water views, too. The master bedroom seems to be the choicest element of the joint, though, with walk-in closets and marble all up in the bathroom.
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7
Where: 163 Marlborough Street, #2
How Much: $5,200,000
Square Footage: 4,856
The Skinny: This 4-BR, 4.5-BA triplex in a corner building pre-dating the Civil War unfolds like the setting of a Henry James novel (or, at the least, an Alan Cumming-introduced Masterpiece Mystery). It's grandly grand: 14-foot ceilings; original detailing; floor-to-ceiling picture windows on three sides; what the listing calls a "dramatic entry foyer;" and five—count 'em, five—"ornate" fireplaces. Sigh.
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6
Where: 287 Commonwealth Avenue #4
How Much: $5,300,000
Square Footage: 5,263
The Skinny: This duplex has size going for it: 6 bedrooms; 5 full bathrooms and 2 partial ones; a dining room that can accommodate a table that seats 24(!); a living room like a small banquet hall, complete with curved doors; and—the pièce de résistance!—a 3-bedroom next-door that's also on the market, meaning that a rich (and patient) soul could create a 7,200-square-foot palace. Bring it.
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5
Where: 37 Commonwealth Avenue, #2
How Much: $5,850,000
Square Footage: 3,665+
The Skinny: This 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom duplex comes newly built-out, with fresh materials and appliances, an elevator, and what the listing calls "a small balcony." It's got serious bones, too—the building it's been born again in is 132 years old.
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4
Where: 37 Commonwealth Avenue, #1
How Much: $5,850,000
Square Footage: 3,665
The Skinny: Remember growing up, when there was always a sibling or a first cousin or someone in the same grade, who, no matter how much you tried, always did as well as you at everything and always therefore stole your thunder? Well, we do. This number came on the market 12 days ago right downstairs from No. 5. It's similar in size and floorplan—and exactly the same in price.
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3
Where: 221 Columbus Avenue, #800
How Much: $7,200,000
Square Footage: 3,500
The Skinny: We hereby dub this one the New Green Monster. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom duplex in the Albert A. Pope Building has 3,500 square feet on the inside—and the exact same amount on the outside. Indeed, the listing promises "lush gardened terraces [that] wrap the 3,500 square feet of indoor space. There are panoramic and unparalleled views from each room, roof art and enchanted gardens."
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2
Where: 310 Beacon Street, #PH
How Much: $10,500,000
Square Footage: N/A
The Skinny: Patriots QB Tom Brady and small-town girl Gisele Bundchen first put this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath penthouse duplex on the market in 2009, took it off, and then put it back on in early October with a $400,000 price-chop. It's got a "grand living area" on the top floor with two gas fireplaces and media room; landscaped roof deck; copper-clad solarium with two skylights; outdoor kitchen; steam shower; and, as an added bonus, the deep-soaking tub where Bundchen birthed the couple's son Benjamin two years ago.
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1
Where: 776 Boylston Street, West 11-B
How Much: $12,500,000
Square Footage: 6,000+
The Skinny: We've written about this puppy before. Its 3 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 partial baths are spread throughout a high floor of the 5-star Mandarin Oriental. It's got three fireplaces, too, and three sides with views of Back Bay and the Charles River, according to the listing.
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