Multi Residential Restoration/Renovation

Nauset Transforming Historic Brownstone into Luxury Condos

Maison Commonwealth / Renderings courtesy of Chevron Partners

Boston – The transformation of an 1880 Back Bay double-wide brownstone into five luxury boutique condominiums is now underway. Maison Commonwealth, located at 260 and 262 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, is being built by Nauset Construction for developer Chevron Partners.

The buildings were originally constructed as single-family residences, and most recently served as student housing for Bay State College. They were acquired by Chevron Partners in 2017.

Garage entrance

The complex historic renovation project includes a fully excavated below-grade garage, the removal of all load-bearing walls between the two historic buildings, construction of a new modern penthouse addition, and the installation of highly sophisticated mechanical systems.

The project architect is Meyer & Meyer, which specializes in historic restoration and renovation. The stately brick and brownstone Victorian facade, originally designed by Samuel Kelley, will be restored and walled garden areas will be seamlessly integrated with the original building. The lobby will include a custom elevator.

Each unit will offer expansive formal living, dining, and entertaining spaces with ceiling heights up to 12 feet and views onto Commonwealth Avenue. The units will feature cast plaster moldings with custom corner cartouches that meet sleek modern finishes; hand-carved marble mantels and gas fireplaces that adjoin modern Italian cabinetry; and state-of-the-art appliances. Imported oak wood chevron flooring, Italian closets, and floor-to-ceiling imported Carrara marble master bathrooms will also be constructed.

The 4,200sf two-level penthouse unit will feature a 1,500sf modern upper-level addition, appointed with front and rear motorized glass walls that blur the boundary to 970sf of private front and rear outdoor space.

“I have been so impressed with Nauset Construction’s level of diligence in their attention to detail in the bidding process, planning the finishes and coordinating every aspect of the construction well in advance of trade execution,” said Marcel Safar, managing partner of Chevron Partners. “As an owner, this gives me confidence in such important aspects of a project that are price security, speed of execution and accuracy of execution on my project.”

“The redevelopment of Maison Commonwealth is a special opportunity to demonstrate some of our greatest strengths as a construction manager: historic renovation, multifamily development, and working in zero-lot line urban infill sites,” said Nauset Construction president, Anthony Papantonis. “We look forward to working with the entire development team on this challenging project.”