Harbor Towers
Encyclopedia
The Harbor Towers are two Brutalist-era forty-story residential towers located on the waterfront of the U.S.
city of Boston
, nestled between the New England Aquarium
and the iconic Rowe's Wharf mixed use development. Harbor Towers I, the taller of the two towers, stands 400 feet (122 m), while Harbor Towers II rises 396 ft (121 m). The towers are the 26th and 28th-tallest buildings in Boston, respectively.
Initially built as affordable
rental housing, Harbor Towers's first residents arrived in 1971. While the modern looking towers offered unparalleled harborfront and city skyline views, the architectural style, with contributions from renowned architect I.M. Pei, was out of place in the provincial New England
port city and the area surrounding the project was, at that time, a rough, dusty warehouse district with more surface parking lot
s per acre than any other area of the city. Once separated from the city's financial district by a two story elevated highway, and from its neighboring Italian-American
North End by its isolated modern look and feel
, the apartments felt distanced from the city. As the area surrounding the Towers developed into a focal point of the city, this once criticised pair of high rise buildings has become one of the city's most desirable addresses.
The Harbor Towers apartment complex was completed in 1971 by the Berenson Corporation, as an affordable housing
option near Boston's financial district. Designed by Henry N. Cobb
of I.M. Pei & Partners (now Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
), who also designed Boston's John Hancock Tower
and collaborated with Pei on Boston's City Hall Plaza
, the towers are well known in the architectural community. At 40 stories, they are the city's tallest residential towers. A project sponsored by the Boston Redevelopment Authority
(BRA), as a way to bring new life to Boston's waterfront, which was, at the time, a seedy, dusty area mostly made up of parking lots, the project became a cornerstone for future progress in the area.
Originally planned with three 40-story towers, only two were built, along with a parking garage. The much derided design has garnered many critics in Boston for its "brutalist" architecture
, a style that was argued to be inconsistent with historic Boston. In particular, the surrounding area includes sites such as the waterfront area and the North End
, which is known for its Italian community and its preservation of 17th and 18th century architecture.
As the growth of the city moved toward the waterfront, the unparalleled nature of the apartment tower's location and harbor and city views drew the attention of the "condominium conversion" craze of the early 1980s. In 1981, both apartment towers started the two year process of conversion to condominium
s, with special incentives for renters to purchase at heavily discounted prices. Many of these early apartment renters now own several units, often combined to create breathtaking wrap-around units with as much as 5,000 square feet (464 square meters) of living space. Some of these "early adopters," now own multi-million dollar units, with as little as US$100,000 to $200,000 total investment. The newcomers buy units for between $600,000 to as much as $3,000,000, primarily for the spectacular harbor and city views but also for the location, which is less than three city blocks from the city's financial district.
With the more recent development of the adjacent Rowes Wharf
/Boston Harbor Hotel
, a landmark development of significant architectural and aesthetic significance to the city's skyline, as well as the expansion of the New England Aquarium, has made the twin towers even more desirable. The completion of the central artery project (The Big Dig), with its expansive necklace of greenspace, gardens, and public space
, will make these now historic apartment buildings a central character in the most costly urban improvement project in U.S. history.
The much-maligned towers have survived tremendous change along Boston's waterfront, and tenants who purchased homes early in the process have seen the largest increases in property values of any urban Boston location.
The imposing towers with 624 units on the waterfront have been a premiere address for downtown dwellers, with the best views of the city and harbor, bar none. Over the decades, however, the towers have had minimal renovation. Now the bill for that has come due, with the electrical, ventilation, and heating and air-conditioning systems in need of repair or replacement. Since a 2002 report by R.G. Vanderweil Engineers LLP that documented corrosion on heating and cooling water pipes, the buildings' systems have been studied by multiple engineering firms and consultants.
The stainless steel sculpture at the base of the buildings is "Untitled Landscape" by David von Schlegell
and was created in 1964. It is often mistaken for solar panels.
.
For elementary and middle school, students may apply to:
All high schools are "citywide."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
city of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, nestled between the New England Aquarium
New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is an aquarium located in Boston, Massachusetts.In addition to the main aquarium building, attractions at the New England Aquarium include the Simons IMAX Theatre and the New England Aquarium Whale Watch, which operates from April through November...
and the iconic Rowe's Wharf mixed use development. Harbor Towers I, the taller of the two towers, stands 400 feet (122 m), while Harbor Towers II rises 396 ft (121 m). The towers are the 26th and 28th-tallest buildings in Boston, respectively.
Initially built as affordable
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to those that have a median income. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial means of those in the lower income ranges of a geographical area, the...
rental housing, Harbor Towers's first residents arrived in 1971. While the modern looking towers offered unparalleled harborfront and city skyline views, the architectural style, with contributions from renowned architect I.M. Pei, was out of place in the provincial New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
port city and the area surrounding the project was, at that time, a rough, dusty warehouse district with more surface parking lot
Parking lot
A parking lot , also known as car lot, is a cleared area that is intended for parking vehicles. Usually, the term refers to a dedicated area that has been provided with a durable or semi-durable surface....
s per acre than any other area of the city. Once separated from the city's financial district by a two story elevated highway, and from its neighboring Italian-American
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
North End by its isolated modern look and feel
Look and feel
In software design, look and feel is a term used in respect of a graphical user interface and comprises aspects of its design, including elements such as colors, shapes, layout, and typefaces , as well as the behavior of dynamic elements such as buttons, boxes, and menus...
, the apartments felt distanced from the city. As the area surrounding the Towers developed into a focal point of the city, this once criticised pair of high rise buildings has become one of the city's most desirable addresses.
History
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to those that have a median income. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial means of those in the lower income ranges of a geographical area, the...
option near Boston's financial district. Designed by Henry N. Cobb
Henry N. Cobb
Henry N. Cobb is an American architect and founding partner with I.M. Pei of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, an international architectural firm based in New York City....
of I.M. Pei & Partners (now Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners is an architectural firm that was founded in 1955 by I. M. Pei as I. M. Pei & Associates, in 1966 called I. M. Pei & Partners, and received its current name and organization in 1989. The founders were I. M. Pei, Henry N. Cobb, and Eason H. Leonard. Pei and Leonard retired...
), who also designed Boston's 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...
and collaborated with Pei on Boston's City Hall Plaza
City Hall Plaza (Boston)
City Hall Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts, is a large, open, unadorned public space in the Government Center area of the city. The architectural firm Kallmann McKinnell & Knowles designed the plaza in 1962 to accompany Boston's new City Hall. The multi-level, irregularly-shaped plaza consists of red...
, the towers are well known in the architectural community. At 40 stories, they are the city's tallest residential towers. A project sponsored by the Boston Redevelopment Authority
Boston Redevelopment Authority
The Boston Redevelopment Authority is the municipal planning and development agency for Boston, working on both housing and commercial developments.The BRA was established by the Boston city council and the Massachusetts legislature in 1957...
(BRA), as a way to bring new life to Boston's waterfront, which was, at the time, a seedy, dusty area mostly made up of parking lots, the project became a cornerstone for future progress in the area.
Originally planned with three 40-story towers, only two were built, along with a parking garage. The much derided design has garnered many critics in Boston for its "brutalist" architecture
Brutalist architecture
Brutalist architecture is a style of architecture which flourished from the 1950s to the mid 1970s, spawned from the modernist architectural movement.-The term "brutalism":...
, a style that was argued to be inconsistent with historic Boston. In particular, the surrounding area includes sites such as the waterfront area and the North End
North End, Boston, Massachusetts
The North End is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It has the distinction of being the city's oldest residential community, where people have lived continuously since it was settled in the 1630s. Though small , the neighborhood has approximately 100 eating establishments, and a variety of...
, which is known for its Italian community and its preservation of 17th and 18th century architecture.
As the growth of the city moved toward the waterfront, the unparalleled nature of the apartment tower's location and harbor and city views drew the attention of the "condominium conversion" craze of the early 1980s. In 1981, both apartment towers started the two year process of conversion to condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s, with special incentives for renters to purchase at heavily discounted prices. Many of these early apartment renters now own several units, often combined to create breathtaking wrap-around units with as much as 5,000 square feet (464 square meters) of living space. Some of these "early adopters," now own multi-million dollar units, with as little as US$100,000 to $200,000 total investment. The newcomers buy units for between $600,000 to as much as $3,000,000, primarily for the spectacular harbor and city views but also for the location, which is less than three city blocks from the city's financial district.
With the more recent development of the adjacent Rowes Wharf
Rowes Wharf
The current incarnation of Rowes Wharf is a modern development in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is best known for the Boston Harbor Hotel's multi-story arch over the wide public plaza between Atlantic Avenue and the Boston Harbor waterfront...
/Boston Harbor Hotel
Boston Harbor Hotel
The Boston Harbor Hotel is a Mobil Travel Guide Five Star hotel overlooking historic Boston Harbor and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The hotel is also a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and has been honored as one of the “World's Best Places to Stay” on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List...
, a landmark development of significant architectural and aesthetic significance to the city's skyline, as well as the expansion of the New England Aquarium, has made the twin towers even more desirable. The completion of the central artery project (The Big Dig), with its expansive necklace of greenspace, gardens, and public space
Public space
A public space is a social space such as a town square that is open and accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age or socio-economic level. One of the earliest examples of public spaces are commons. For example, no fees or paid tickets are required for entry, nor are the entrants...
, will make these now historic apartment buildings a central character in the most costly urban improvement project in U.S. history.
The much-maligned towers have survived tremendous change along Boston's waterfront, and tenants who purchased homes early in the process have seen the largest increases in property values of any urban Boston location.
The imposing towers with 624 units on the waterfront have been a premiere address for downtown dwellers, with the best views of the city and harbor, bar none. Over the decades, however, the towers have had minimal renovation. Now the bill for that has come due, with the electrical, ventilation, and heating and air-conditioning systems in need of repair or replacement. Since a 2002 report by R.G. Vanderweil Engineers LLP that documented corrosion on heating and cooling water pipes, the buildings' systems have been studied by multiple engineering firms and consultants.
Materials
The apartments are organized in a pinwheel fashion around a central core. They are made of cast in place concrete. The concrete balconies appear to be zipper like against the flat facade.The stainless steel sculpture at the base of the buildings is "Untitled Landscape" by David von Schlegell
David von Schlegell
David Von Schlegell was an American abstract artist and sculptor.-Biography:David Von Schlegell was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1920, the son of American impressionist artist William von Schlegell. He studied at the University of Michigan in the 1940s, and then entered the United States Air Force...
and was created in 1964. It is often mistaken for solar panels.
Education
The towers are zoned to Boston Public SchoolsBoston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools is a school district serving the city of Boston, Massachusetts, United States.-Leadership:The district is led by a Superintendent, hired by the Boston School Committee, a seven-member school board appointed by the Mayor after approval by a nominating committee of specified...
.
For elementary and middle school, students may apply to:
- Any school within the location's "assignment zone"
- In this case, the North Zone http://boston.k12.ma.us/info/IntroBPSEng.pdf
- Any school within the location's "walk zone," regardless of the school's "assignment zone."
- Eligible "walk zone" schools not citywide and not within the North Zone: Gavin Middle School http://boston.k12.ma.us/schools/RC525.pdf
- Any citywide elementary school, middle school, and K-8
All high schools are "citywide."