Berkeley Building
Encyclopedia
The Berkeley Building is a 36-story, 495 feet (150.9 m) structure located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It is the second of the three John Hancock buildings built in Boston; it was succeeded by the John Hancock Tower
. The building is known for the weather beacon
at its summit, which broadcasts light patterns as weather forecasts. The Berkeley Building is the 18th-tallest building in the city.
and completed in 1947. From 1947 until 1964 it was the second-tallest building in the city, one foot (30 cm) shorter than the 496 feet (151.2 m) Custom House Tower
, but a much larger building and a conspicuous landmark. The Prudential Tower
, completed in 1964, dwarfed both. , 17 buildings are taller, yet it remains a handsome and easily recognized Boston landmark, familiar to commuters crossing the Charles River
. A drawing of this building served as a logo for the John Hancock Insurance
company for many years.
In March 2003, the John Hancock Insurance company sold the Berkeley Building, along with the Stephen L. Brown building and the John Hancock Tower
, to Beacon Capital. In December 2006, the Berkeley and Brown buildings were reacquired by John Hancock.
the John Hancock company refers to it as "The Berkeley Building," but in common parlance it is "the Old John Hancock Building."
It is also the home of the Back Bay Events Center: this two-part structure is the John Hancock Hall proper and the Dorothy Quincy Suite (a single room, capacity of approximately 900.) The Hall also contains a full box office
and a 1100 seat auditorium
. This is the annual site of the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild One-Act Festival
's State Finals.
with red and blue lights, which use a code to present the local weather forecast, using a popular rhyme as a mnemonic
:
During baseball
season, flashing red means the Boston Red Sox
game has been called off on account of weather.
The beacon was first lit on March 15, 1950 and was controlled using forecasts from a meteorological agency located on the 26th floor. It was kept lit until 1973 when it was shut off to set an example during an energy crisis
which also temporarily shut off the famed Citgo
sign in Kenmore Square
. The beacon was re-lit in 1983 and has continued to display the weather forecast ever since.
In October 2004, the beacon flashed red and blue to commemorate the World Series
victory of the Boston Red Sox
. This was the first time the color scheme changed since the beacon was lit in 1950. A new line was added to the poem accordingly:
The beacon again flashed red and blue when the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series
.
John Hancock Tower
The John Hancock Tower, officially named Hancock Place and colloquially known as The Hancock, is a 60-story, 790-foot skyscraper in Boston. The tower was designed by Henry N. Cobb of the firm I. M. Pei & Partners and was completed in 1976...
. The building is known for the weather beacon
Weather beacon
A weather beacon is a beacon that indicates the local weather forecast in a code of colored or flashing lights. Often, a short poem or jingle accompanies the code to make it easier to remember....
at its summit, which broadcasts light patterns as weather forecasts. The Berkeley Building is the 18th-tallest building in the city.
History
The building, located in Boston's Back Bay, was designed by Cram and FergusonRalph Adams Cram
Ralph Adams Cram FAIA, , was a prolific and influential American architect of collegiate and ecclesiastical buildings, often in the Gothic style. Cram & Ferguson and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson are partnerships in which he worked.-Early life:Cram was born on December 16, 1863 at Hampton Falls, New...
and completed in 1947. From 1947 until 1964 it was the second-tallest building in the city, one foot (30 cm) shorter than the 496 feet (151.2 m) Custom House Tower
Custom House Tower
The Custom House Tower - now Marriott's Custom House Hotel - is a skyscraper in McKinley Square, in the Financial District neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Construction began in the mid-19th century; the tower was added in the 1910s...
, but a much larger building and a conspicuous landmark. The Prudential Tower
Prudential Tower
The Prudential Tower, also known as the Prudential Building or, colloquially, The Pru, is a skyscraper in Boston, Massachusetts. The building, a part of the Prudential Center complex, currently stands as the 2nd-tallest building in Boston, behind the John Hancock Tower. The Prudential Tower was...
, completed in 1964, dwarfed both. , 17 buildings are taller, yet it remains a handsome and easily recognized Boston landmark, familiar to commuters crossing the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
. A drawing of this building served as a logo for the John Hancock Insurance
John Hancock Insurance
John Hancock Financial is a loose term for a United States insurance company which existed, in various forms, from its founding on April 21, 1862, until its acquisition in 2004 by the Canadian insurance company Manulife Financial. It was named in honor of John Hancock, a prominent patriot...
company for many years.
In March 2003, the John Hancock Insurance company sold the Berkeley Building, along with the Stephen L. Brown building and the John Hancock Tower
John Hancock Tower
The John Hancock Tower, officially named Hancock Place and colloquially known as The Hancock, is a 60-story, 790-foot skyscraper in Boston. The tower was designed by Henry N. Cobb of the firm I. M. Pei & Partners and was completed in 1976...
, to Beacon Capital. In December 2006, the Berkeley and Brown buildings were reacquired by John Hancock.
the John Hancock company refers to it as "The Berkeley Building," but in common parlance it is "the Old John Hancock Building."
It is also the home of the Back Bay Events Center: this two-part structure is the John Hancock Hall proper and the Dorothy Quincy Suite (a single room, capacity of approximately 900.) The Hall also contains a full box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
and a 1100 seat auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
. This is the annual site of the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild One-Act Festival
Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, commonly known as METG and previously known as the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild until its name changed in 2010 is, according to their website, an organisation "for the charitable and educational purpose of promoting and strengthening excellence,...
's State Finals.
Weather beacon
It is topped by a weather beaconWeather beacon
A weather beacon is a beacon that indicates the local weather forecast in a code of colored or flashing lights. Often, a short poem or jingle accompanies the code to make it easier to remember....
with red and blue lights, which use a code to present the local weather forecast, using a popular rhyme as a mnemonic
Mnemonic
A mnemonic , or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to make memorization easier. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often verbal, such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something,...
:
-
-
- Steady blue, clear view.
- Flashing blue, clouds due.
- Steady red, rain ahead.
- Flashing red, snow instead.
-
During baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
season, flashing red means the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
game has been called off on account of weather.
The beacon was first lit on March 15, 1950 and was controlled using forecasts from a meteorological agency located on the 26th floor. It was kept lit until 1973 when it was shut off to set an example during an energy crisis
1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
which also temporarily shut off the famed Citgo
Citgo
CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a United States-incorporated, Venezuela-owned refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de...
sign in Kenmore Square
Kenmore Square
Kenmore Square is a square in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, consisting of the intersection of several main avenues as well as several other cross streets, and Kenmore Station, an MBTA subway stop. Kenmore Square is close to or abuts Boston University, Fenway Park, and Lansdowne Street, a...
. The beacon was re-lit in 1983 and has continued to display the weather forecast ever since.
In October 2004, the beacon flashed red and blue to commemorate the World Series
2004 World Series
The 2004 World Series was the Major League Baseball championship series for the 2004 season. It was the 100th World Series and featured the American League champions, the Boston Red Sox, against the National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals...
victory of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. This was the first time the color scheme changed since the beacon was lit in 1950. A new line was added to the poem accordingly:
-
-
- Flashing Blue and Red, when The Curse of the BambinoCurse of the BambinoThe Curse of the Bambino was a superstition cited as a reason for the failure of the Boston Red Sox baseball team to win the World Series in the 86-year period from 1918 to 2004...
is dead!
- Flashing Blue and Red, when The Curse of the Bambino
-
The beacon again flashed red and blue when the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series
2007 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe Red Sox cruised to a blowout win in Game 1 behind ALCS MVP Josh Beckett, who struck out nine batters, including the first four he faced, en route to his fourth win of the 2007 postseason...
.
External links
- John Hancock Building Emporis.com