Federal Reserve Bank Building (Boston)

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name= Federal Reserve Bank Building
location= 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
roof= 614 ft (187 m)
height_stories= 32
construction_period= 1969 - 1977
use= Office
architect= The Stubbin Associates
developer= The Federal Reserve Board

The Federal Reserve Bank Building is Boston's third-tallest building. Located in the downtown neighborhood by Boston Harbor and South Station called Dewey Square, the building is marked by a distinctive opening near ground level which allows sea breezes to pass through. The building was completed in 1977 and is 614 feet (187 meters) tall with 32 floors. It was designed by Hugh Stubbins Jr. of The Stubbins Associates, Inc. and was reportedly one of his favorite buildings. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/arts/design/11stubbins.html (New York Times, July 11, 2006)] For over sixty years Reserve Banks had been fortress-like in theirdesign; the new Boston Bank was quite a contrast.http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/conf/conf45/conf45h.pdf] It sometimes referred to as "the washboard" building [ [http://www.architectureweek.com/2006/0809/news_1-2.html ArchitectureWeek - News - Hugh Stubbins, Modern Tower - 2006.0809 ] ] or "Venetian Blind" building [http://www.massvacation.com/jsp/page.jsp?org_id=empty&cat=43&g=&region=empty]

Architectural Details

The main features are a two-tower with a glass front and aluminum-sheathed sides. [ [http://history.enotes.com/peoples-chronology/year-1977/architecture-real-estate 1977 | Architecture, Real Estate: The People's Chronology ] ]

From the Bank's website "The office tower linked to a four-story wing was erected between December 1972 and November 1974. The architects designed the tower office floors that rise from a 140-foot bridge "suspended" in the air between two end cores. A 600 ton major steel structure truss marks the beginning of the tower's "office in the air." The exterior is natural anodized aluminum, which acts as a curtain wall and weatherproof facing. The aluminum spandrels shade the building interior from the sun in the summertime and allow more sunlight in the winter months." [ [http://www.bos.frb.org/about/history/index.htm FRBB: A Brief History of the Boston Fed ] ]

It features an auditorium that is named for Frank E. Morris. Morris was the President andChief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston from 1968 to 1988. It was designed to meet the Bank’s needs and is also available to the community, offering lunchtime concerts as well.

Gardens are encorporated above street level.

The computer room was the first to house a Fedwire communications switch.

There are surveillance cameras on the Federal Reserve Bank building. [ [http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/theyre_watching_you They're Watching You - Boston Magazine ] ]

Awards

The New England Regional Council, AIA Award for Excellence in Architecture, 1979 [http://www.stubbins.us/Content.aspx?pageContentId=100014]

Gallery

ee also

*List of tallest buildings in Boston

External links

* [http://libraries.mit.edu/rvc/kidder/photos/MA24.html Photos]
* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=119240 Building detail]

References