High Spine
Encyclopedia
Boston
's High Spine is an architectural plan
ning design that arose in 1961, designed by the Committee of Civic Design, part of the Boston Society of Architects
. The basic idea of the High Spine is to create a string of skyscrapers that runs from Huntington Avenue to the South End on a path that would not disrupt pre-existing, historical communities and give the city a distinctive skyline that would act as a visual reference for one's location within the city.
and the Prudential Center are found in Boston's Back Bay between Massachusetts Avenue
and Arlington Street. Others include 111 Huntington Avenue
, 500 Boylston Street
and the Berkeley Building
, which are all visible from outside the city.
The other peaks of the High Spine are found in the Financial District.
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...
's High Spine is an architectural plan
Architectural plan
An architectural plan is a plan for architecture, and the documentation of written and graphic descriptions of the architectural elements of a building project including sketches, drawings and details.- Overview :...
ning design that arose in 1961, designed by the Committee of Civic Design, part of the Boston Society of Architects
Boston Society of Architects
One of the oldest and largest chapters of the AIA, the Boston Society of Architects is a nonprofit membership organization committed to architecture, design and the built environment .-History:...
. The basic idea of the High Spine is to create a string of skyscrapers that runs from Huntington Avenue to the South End on a path that would not disrupt pre-existing, historical communities and give the city a distinctive skyline that would act as a visual reference for one's location within the city.
Buildings of the High Spine
Two peaks of the High Spine, the John Hancock TowerJohn 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 the Prudential Center are found in Boston's Back Bay between Massachusetts Avenue
Massachusetts Avenue (Boston)
Massachusetts Avenue, known to locals as Mass Ave, is a major thoroughfare in Boston, Massachusetts, and several cities and towns northwest of Boston...
and Arlington Street. Others include 111 Huntington Avenue
111 Huntington Avenue
111 Huntington Avenue is one of Boston's newest skyscrapers and is part of the Prudential Center complex that also houses the Prudential Tower. Completed in 2002, the tower is 554 feet tall and houses 36 floors. The building is the tallest skyscraper built in Boston since 1987...
, 500 Boylston Street
500 Boylston Street
500 Boylston Street is a Post-Modern building located in the Back Bay section of Boston and part of the city's High Spine, completed in 1985. It sits next to the landmark Trinity Church, Boston. It dominates the western half of the city block bounded by Boylston, Clarendon and Berkeley streets and...
and the Berkeley Building
Berkeley Building
The Berkeley Building is a 36-story, 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...
, which are all visible from outside the city.
The other peaks of the High Spine are found in the Financial District.
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