Modern Skyscrapers of Boston, Massachusetts

The modern skyscrapers of Boston, Massachusetts are not the tallest, nor are they the most beautiful. But their stories do say a lot about the modern history of Boston, as well as America.

Prudential Tower (1965) The Prudential development on what was the old Boston & Albany railroad yard was the most historically significant private real estate development of the 20th Century in Boston. Best known by locals by its nickname "the Pru," its "crown" is one of the best recognized landmarks of Boston. Anybody who lived through the 1960s in Boston will tell you how exciting it was to watch this 52-story tower go up. It was sold to the public as being the symbol of a "new Boston," a "can do" town that was finally and belatedly shaking off the Great Depression. "Urban renewal" was the phrase on everyone's lips, downtown Boston had been recently connected to the nation's Interstate Highway system, and Jack Kennedy was President. From an aesthetic P.O.V. the Pru is largely uninspiring and is not very well regarded in either architectural circles or the citizenry at large. That said, it is, however, a largely beloved building. It somehow embodies the cock-eyed optimism of the times in which it was built. One looks at it as one would look back at goofy childhood photos of loved ones.

Hancock Tower (1975) Boston's tallest building (793 feet/60 stories) is slowly winning over Bostonians after an ill-fated beginning in which its windows began, on a daily basis, to pop out of their framing, both thrilling and terrorizing the local citizens as the glass sheets plunged hundreds of feet, shattering on the streets and sidewalks. Today, both the framing system and the windows replaced, one is able to safely enjoy the sculptural beauty of this (not so obviously) eight-sided tower of reflective glass. This said, the Hancock's biggest fans are those seated in the proverbial "cheap seats," i.e., those who only see the building from a distance, as part of the skyline. Those whose regularly experience the tower at street level will tell you a different story. Despite two recent re-design attempts, the tower simply doesn't relate to the adjacent street environment very well. Also, and perhaps more importantly, the Hancock Tower is responsible for the worst wind-tunnels in Boston. That said, the photograph most taken by visitors to Boston is that of the neighboring Trinity Church's central tower as it is reflected in the glass of the Hancock Tower.

Federal Reserve Bank (1977) From the harbor side of Boston, this unashamedly "washboard" shaped building is certainly eye-catching. It also very well represents the late 1970s. From a technical/engineering standpoint, the local Fed is considered quite highly. Its louvers provide both shade (i.e., decreased need for A/C in the summer) and protection from potential wind tunnels that those near the Hancock suffer. Also, the structure is clad in partially recycled silver aluminum (which at one point, years ago, led some to refer to it as the "Beer Can Building"). The merits of the "washboard" design aside, the Fed fails terribly on the street. Even before the post 9/11 federal access restrictions, this building was an urban island. Walking past it, even driving past it, is a chore. Something one avoids whenever possible, and when unavoidable, it is done as quickly as possible with no expectation of enjoyment whatsoever.

111 Huntington Avenue (2002) I refer to this tower as "Pru 2," not only because it is part of the larger Prudential complex and its proximity to the original Pru, but for reasons that will be explained below. This is the latest addition to Boston's Back Bay skyline, and the most telling thing in regards to Pru 2 is the fact that nobody's talking about it. It's a bit of cipher in the local consciousness, despite its somewhat, if simply, provocative design. I point to the original real estate maxim, "location, location, location." Sited where it is, Pru 2 comes off as a bothersome and unwanted companion to its taller and nobler neighbor. One almost expects the Pru to discreetly pass Pru 2 a ten-spot so it can get lost for a couple of hours at a movie. Now, in regards to the street life of Pru 2, it has none. It has no street. It is located behind a condo complex, and it's main entrance, its "front door" is accessed via an arcade of a shopping mall. As a result, Pru 2 is a bit of what can be call an "urban weed." It just kinda springs up, with absolutely no context.