The Saunders family’s legacy in Boston began in 1898, when Jacob Sanderowitch (Saunders), a recent immigrant from Lithuania, started a residential real estate business with offices at 617 Columbus Avenue. From the beginning, Jacob prioritized meticulous care of the properties in his portfolio, and that is a tradition the Saunders family continues today.
Boston Map c. 1895
Jacob’s son, Irving M. Saunders, expanded the family business into commercial real estate. One of his first projects was the purchase and development of a piece of Back Bay land at the intersection of Berkeley Street and Columbus Avenue, the contemporary 147 Berkeley Street. Irving loved taking on new projects and new properties, adding more and more buildings to the company’s portfolio.
Searching for the latest booms in the real estate market at that time, Irving began to target the hospitality industry. During the 1940s he took on the management of Tanglewood resort in Falmouth, Massachusetts, a vast Cape Cod property surrounded by 26 acres. In 1949, Irving acquired the Copley Square Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay, beginning the Saunders family’s legacy as Boston hoteliers.
Sketch of 39-45 Newbury Street
Irving’s sons Donald and Roger continued the family’s tradition, joining the company as principals. Donald L. Saunders greatly expanded the company’s commercial real estate portfolio, acquiring 229 Newbury Street, 39-45 Newbury Street, 29-33 Newbury Street, 35 Newbury Street, 18-19 Arlington Street, and other notable Boston buildings.
In 1976, Donald and Roger were instrumental in purchasing and improving a trio of landmark properties: The Armory of the First Corp of Cadets (now The Saunders Castle), Boston Park Plaza Hotel, and the adjoining office building at 20 Park Plaza (now The Saunders Building). The family’s bold investment in these properties was credited with helping to revitalize the Park Square neighborhood of Boston’s Back Bay.
Today, the Back Bay is a bustling home to the finest hotels, restaurants and retail. The Saunders family continues to exclusively lease and manage its portfolio of properties in the Back Bay and beyond, carefully stewarding and improving its properties and looking intently toward the future.
Public Garden
Present Day Milestones at Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate continues to shape Boston’s cultural and architectural landscape through strategic investment, thoughtful preservation, and visionary programming.
The Saunders Castle
The Saunders Castle remains one of Boston’s most distinctive historic venues, where architectural grandeur meets world class cultural programming. In 2019, the Castle hosted Downton Abbey The Exhibition, an extraordinary experience enjoyed by more than 80,000 visitors. The success of this exhibition affirmed the Castle’s role as a premier destination for immersive storytelling and large scale productions. In recent years, the Castle became home to Lighthouse ArtSpace Boston, presenting groundbreaking immersive exhibitions including:
● “Immersive Frida Kahlo” ● “Immersive Monet and The Impressionists” ● “Immersive Klimt”
These installations transformed the Castle’s interior into a digital canvas featuring over 500,000 cubic feet of projected art, 90 million pixels, and more than 1.2 million frames of video, delivering an unparalleled sensory experience.
Subsequent programming has continued to raise the bar. Recent events include:
● “Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away.” ● “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” ● “The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks”
Now Announcing King Tut Opening February 28, 2026
Saunders Real Estate is proud to announce the upcoming opening of the King Tut Exhibit at The Saunders Castle on February 28, 2026.
This highly anticipated exhibition will transport visitors into the world of ancient Egypt, offering a rare and immersive exploration of one of history’s most iconic figures.
Newbury Street, a part of the Saunders Collection: Timeless Elegance Thoughtfully Reimagined
Along Newbury Street, Saunders Real Estate continues its legacy of preservation and enhancement. Our properties have undergone significant improvements and modern upgrades, carefully executed to elevate functionality, tenant experience, and long-term asset value. These enhancements include:
● Comprehensive interior renovations ● Upgraded building systems and infrastructure ● Refined retail storefront presentation ● Modernized common areas and amenities
Each improvement has been carried out with disciplined respect for architectural integrity. The timeless façades, classical detailing, and historic character that define Newbury Street remain fully preserved, ensuring that modern performance coexists seamlessly with enduring elegance. Saunders Real Estate is committed to delivering exceptional properties, transformative cultural experiences, and enduring value across Boston’s most iconic locations.
Newbury Street, the Back Bay & Beyond
The company’s current office and retail tenants include Valentino, Loro Piana, Shreve, Crump & Low, AKRIS, M.J. O’Connor’s, Thos. Moser, Cheryl Richard Photography Studio, Emerson College, Celebrity Series of Boston, Boston Diamond Company, and many more.
