191 Commonwealth Avenue was designed by Weston and Rand, architects, and built in 1872 by Weston & Sheppard, builders.
Originally designed as six floor-through apartments (called “French flats”), it was built for Alexander Agassiz, his brother-in-law, Henry Lee Higginson, and probably Henry Lee Higginson’s father, George Higginson . “Alexander Agassiz and others” are shown as the owners on the original building permit application, dated August 7, 1872, and on the final building inspection, dated December 29, 1873.
191 Commonwealth was named "Hotel Agassiz" in honor of the Agassiz family.
Alexander Agassiz was the developer and president of the Calumet and Hecla Copper Mines. His father, Louis Agassiz, was the noted Harvard zoologist.
George Higginson’s son, Henry Lee Higginson (called "The Major" because of his military service during the Civil War) was a partner in Lee, Higginson & Co. and the husband of Alexander Agassiz’s sister, Ida. Henry Lee Higginson may be best known for founding the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1881. Henry and Ida (Agassiz) Higginson lived at the Hotel Agassiz from the time it was built until their deaths, he in 1919, and she in 1935.
191 Commonwealth was converted into 16 condominiums in May of 1973.
Historic building information courtesy of BOSarchitecture.com
