A Tiffany Treasure on Commonwealth Avenue
Boston’s Back Bay is no stranger to architectural gems, but even among its rows of brownstones, one property stands apart: the Ayer Mansion, the only surviving residence fully designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The property is listed exclusively by Tracy Campion of Campion & Company Fine Homes Real Estate.
First commissioned in 1899 by industrialist Frederick Ayer, the mansion is a true showcase of Tiffany’s genius. Forget lampshades—this is Tiffany writ large. Mosaic glass tiles shimmer across the façade, stained glass windows cast jewel-toned light inside, and ornate decorative details cover walls, fireplaces, and staircases. For design lovers, it’s less house, more museum.
The 15,600-square-foot property (!) sits at 395 Commonwealth Avenue and was most recently listed around $11.5 million and was recently reduced to $9.9 million. That price reflects more than square footage: it’s the rarity of owning a piece of architectural history. Only a handful of Tiffany’s residential projects were ever built, and this is the sole survivor that remains essentially intact.
For decades, the Ayer Mansion served institutional purposes—at one point home to a religious order—before restoration efforts began to preserve its artistry. Today, it stands as both a landmark and a conversation piece: what would it be like to live inside a Tiffany creation?
While most of us may only dream of calling such a property home, the listing itself is a reminder of Boston’s layered real estate story—where artistry, history, and luxury sometimes converge in one remarkable address.
So the next time you’re on Commonwealth Avenue, pause and look up at the shimmering tiles. That’s Tiffany, making Back Bay sparkle a little brighter.
References
Boston.com. (2025, March 25). One-of-a-kind Tiffany-designed mansion in Boston listed for $11.5 million. https://www.boston.com/real-estate/real-estate/2025/03/25/one-of-a-kind-tiffany-designed-mansion-in-boston-listed-for-11-5-million/
Campion & Company. (n.d.). The Ayer Mansion. https://www.campionre.com/buildings/the-ayer-mansion/
