Albert A. Pope Building

The Albert A. Pope Building, at 221 Columbus Avenue in Back Bay, is a nine-story condominium building with 25 loft residences, converted from a historic commercial building in 1998.

The building is named for Albert Pope, founder of the Pope Manufacturing Company and maker of Columbia bicycles. Pope built his headquarters on this corner of Columbus Avenue and Cahners Place in 1891, with showrooms and a riding academy on the top floor. After a fire in 1896, a new building rose on the site and was completed in 1897. The building has a colorful history: John Singer Sargent rented a top-floor studio here while painting his murals for the Boston Public Library, and Cahners Publishing later made it its home. It was converted to loft-style residences in 1998.

Homes are spacious lofts, many with two to four bedrooms and roughly 1,500 to 3,500 square feet, and a two-story penthouse was later added to the top of the building. Interiors feature high ceilings, oversized and arched windows, hardwood floors, and wood-burning fireplaces.

Residents share a roof deck with a kitchenette, gas grill, and herb garden, reached by elevator. The building has a weekday concierge and a private garage, and the ground floor has long been home to a restaurant.

The location sits at the meeting point of Back Bay, the South End, and Bay Village. Copley Square, the Back Bay MBTA station, and the shops of Copley Place are a short walk, and the restaurants of Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street are close by. Nearby residential buildings include 285 Columbus Lofts.

For buyers who want generous loft space with a real story behind it, the Albert A. Pope Building offers historic character and a central location.

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Development Description

The Albert A. Pope Building, at 221 Columbus Avenue in Back Bay, is a nine-story condominium building with 25 loft residences, converted from a historic commercial building in 1998.

The building is named for Albert Pope, founder of the Pope Manufacturing Company and maker of Columbia bicycles. Pope built his headquarters on this corner of Columbus Avenue and Cahners Place in 1891, with showrooms and a riding academy on the top floor. After a fire in 1896, a new building rose on the site and was completed in 1897. The building has a colorful history: John Singer Sargent rented a top-floor studio here while painting his murals for the Boston Public Library, and Cahners Publishing later made it its home. It was converted to loft-style residences in 1998.

Homes are spacious lofts, many with two to four bedrooms and roughly 1,500 to 3,500 square feet, and a two-story penthouse was later added to the top of the building. Interiors feature high ceilings, oversized and arched windows, hardwood floors, and wood-burning fireplaces.

Residents share a roof deck with a kitchenette, gas grill, and herb garden, reached by elevator. The building has a weekday concierge and a private garage, and the ground floor has long been home to a restaurant.

The location sits at the meeting point of Back Bay, the South End, and Bay Village. Copley Square, the Back Bay MBTA station, and the shops of Copley Place are a short walk, and the restaurants of Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street are close by. Nearby residential buildings include 285 Columbus Lofts.

For buyers who want generous loft space with a real story behind it, the Albert A. Pope Building offers historic character and a central location.

Basic Information

Year Completed
1998
Ownership Type
Condominium
Developer
Paul Roiff
Stories
9

Features & Amenities

Common Roof Deck
Concierge
Garage Parking
Elevator
Fireplace
High Ceilings
Large Windows

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Current Listings

Current Listings

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