The Story of Boston’s Tallest Building

The Cold War was freezing, megacities we’re getting super tall and Boston, it had a problem. You see, Boston wanted a skyscraper to match all others but planes fly low over Boston and historians wanted to preserve, well everything.

Not only were most areas unusable due to plane altitudes but almost everywhere else had a historical building that couldn’t be upset. Copley Square, for instance had a historic library, a church dating back to the 1700’s, statues older than the country and multiple historic hotels.

However, Copley Square was the perfect spot for Boston’s very own super tall skyscraping tower. A tower that, spoiler alert, when built would remain Boston’s tallest building until at least 2020(probably much longer). With much fuss and drama it was agreed a skyscraper could be built next to the square BUT only if, upon completion, it went unnoticed.

Growing up in Chicago an unnoticeable skyscraper seems like a complete oxymoron but for the architects in charge it was nothing but a slight challenge. The largest and most reflective windows possible were ordered, blueprints were drawn and construction commenced.

Much to many’s surprise it worked! Upon completion in 1976 Copley Square had a fairly unobtrusive reflective building mirroring 1700’s chapels, marble libraries, and historic vibes. Looking up from the square all one could really see was the reflection of the sky off a shiny but somewhat tall building. Yet, from afar you have a modern tower reflecting the sky beckoning for attention to its sleek mirror exterior as it dwarfs all other buildings.