EXPERIENCE THE CHARM OF BACK BAY LIVING AT NO. 284
Marrying a prime Commonwealth Avenue location with personalized service, thoughtful amenities, and luxurious design unlike large Boston Back Bay hotels, this former private residence, reopened in early 2018 after a complete renovation, is your home away from home in Boston’s most coveted neighborhood.
Just steps away from world class shopping, dining, and entertainment on Newbury Street, guests can unwind in our luxe library or serene urban courtyard — something you won’t find at Boston Back Bay hotels. Whether your goal is to relax or explore, we invite you to make yourself at home at No. 284.
OUR STORY
Situated on the southwest corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Gloucester Street, No. 284 was commissioned in 1880 by Sumner Rust Mead, a dealer of hosiery, gloves, and small wares, and his wife, Anna Maria Mead. The expansive home was designed by the architectural firm Kirby and Lewis and built by Asa H. Caton. When the cornerstone was laid, it was among the first homes to be built on the block. The Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the lush green walking path running through the center of its namesake boulevard, was still under construction at this point, with its iconic Dutch elm trees yet to be planted.
Following the Meads, No. 284 led a varied existence as both a private residence and commercial enterprise. Occupied at times by an actor of international acclaim, Gilded Age glitterati, and a wholesale footwear merchant, the building also served as the Boston Speech School for Crippled Children and Copley School of Expression.
Phil Saltman, head of his namesake music studio, secured permission to convert the building into a school and dormitory. Among the residents was a renowned playwright, Calvin Talmage, who created scripts for a Tony Award-winning actress.
The building changed hands and operated for several decades as a lodging house, with room for 39 residents to call it home. In 2017, Hexagon Properties stepped in to breathe new life into the building with a complete restoration, paving the way for No. 284’s next chapter.
Today, No. 284 makes its mark as a distinguished 23-room guest house, treating Boston visitors to a unique luxury lodging experience in one of the city’s historic and premier neighborhoods.
Source: backbayhouses.org
FIVE FLOORS OF CAREFULLY CURATED ART
Our curated collection of predominantly American art spanning 1880-2017 on display throughout the five floors of No. 284 sets us apart from Boston hotels. From the common spaces to the guest accommodations, our guest house contains a thoughtful selection of American and European works that reflect the building’s passage of time and its various inhabitants. The artwork, like the building, traces the developments of the past 130 years. It feels like a cultured private collection – an elegant and academic narrative that encapsulates the spirit of its ownership and location in Boston’s Back Bay.
