After graduating from college in 1968, I worked in Boston City Hall. I went to an announcement that the Rouse Companies were going to restore three rows of rundown warehouses across the street,
and turn them into restaurants and shops. Dumbest idea I ever heard!
Faneuil Hall Marketplace opened in the 1970s. People came. For 50 years, they have never left.
It is America's fourth most visited tourist attraction. Got that one wrong, didn't I?
Meanwhile, Boston City Hall is one of the country's most reviled buildings.
Even though I dislike most of 1960s "brutalist" architecture, I like City Hall.
18 comments:
What an architectural difference between the two buildings! I cannot imagine how much fun it must have been for a new graduate in the city of Boston! I've visited only once and thought that it was great!
I'm not usually a fan of brutalist architecture either but I have to admit, this one is very interesting. I like the different layers. It seems the architect added lots of interesting features to this one.
I do agree with Sharon and I do like the different layers, too! That is quite a busy shopping center!! Hope you're enjoying your weekend, Jack!!
We all get it wrong every now and then. Not sure about the brutalistic building.
You know I'm a fan of Brutalism but there seems to be too many things going on with that City Hall building, Jack! Love the old warehouse buildings though.
It has been a few years since I was at Faneuil Hall. I do love that whole area.
Not quite as badly wrong as when my father said of Mick Jagger "Hmm, he'll not be jigging around like that when he's forty!"
I'm not a fan of that style, but this one is interesting to look at. I've never visited Boston, but I hope I can make it there some day!
I have been around the area many times. Still hard to like City Hall.
We've been by on visits to Boston. It's always packed. Rouse's biggest failure may have been Union Station in St. Louis. We just don't have the density.
I like City Hall, too. It's a lot less brutal than most Brutalist building. Think of all those awful federal department headquarters in Washington from the same era.
I'd throw away your crystal ball, Jack. I enjoy myself every time I visit.
Well I do hope Elizabeth Quay is as popular Jack, although I'll then have to eat my words :) Boston City Hall is similar in architectural style as our Parliament House, not so keen Mr Keane :)
Seems like everyone loves shopping these days - and there must be a kind of 'critical mass' - busy enough to attract people to the 'buzz' but not so crowded as to be unpleasant. I liked the buzz there. Am in two minds about the City Hall, though it is certainly more attractive than some 'brutalist' buildings.
Brutalist is ugly, but I see how you can get to like it...
I suppose the brutalist style can grow on you, though a lot of 60s architecture doesn't work for me. Quite a contrast with the statue in the foreground.
Good thing you didn't become a developer, Jack. ;->
Well, you were only a kid, although I'm sure you thought at the time you were very wise and grownup. ;) I LOVE Boston!
I LOVE Boston. It's been too long since my last visit.
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