Preservation and Progress: Boston’s Architecture

Spired churches , gleaming towers, and lots of red brick. Boston is an architecturally rich city in the most traditional sense. The iconic image of the 1877 H.H. Richardson designed  Trinity Church (206 Clarendon St., Boston)(Map) reflected in  the 1976  I.M. Pei-designed John Hancock Tower (200 Clarendon St., Boston)(Map)  fittingly summarizes the city’s architectural styles. Whether you are in the Back Bay, Downtown, or the Waterfront, there is always something interesting to look at in Boston .

One of the most dominant features of the Boston skyline is the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House (Corner Beacon and Park St., Boston, 617-727-3676)(Map) which was designed by the Boston architect Charles Bulfinch in 1798  in the Federal style  and served as the design inspiration for many American state capitol buildings.

As you exit the Government Center T stop, the huge monolithic structure in front of you is Boston’s City Hall (1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, 617-635-4000)(Map) . Built in the 1960′s, the  concrete and brick Boston City Hall has made several  “world’s ugliest building” lists over the years.

Another example of  1960′s urban renewal is across the plaza- the twin towers of the John F. Kennedy Federal Office Building (15 Sudbury St., Boston)(Map) enjoys far more respect-it was designed by Walter Gropius , founder of the Bauhaus movement.

Through most of the 1900′s, Boston’s waterfront was in decline. The redevelopment of Boston Harbor can really be traced backed to the 1970′s when the  distinctive aluminum -sheathed Boston Federal Reserve Bank Tower (600 Atlantic Ave., Boston)(Map) was built.

Nearby, just across the Fort Point Channel the John J. Moakley Courthouse (1 Courthouse Way, Boston, 617-261-2440)(Map) also enjoys a waterfront location.  Built in 1999 ,the rounded glass front and red brick building is stunning and is a much acclaimed example of modern public architecture.

Perched on the edge of Boston Harbor the glass and steel building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro  was opened in 2006 as the new facility of  the Institute of Contemporary Art ( 100 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-478-3100)(Map) and in just a few short years has managed to transform the South Boston Seaport District.

Image Credit: Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau