History of Tremont Building?

J

jebbolt

New member
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone,

I am completely new to the forum, and not sure if my question belongs in the "existing development" category, but here goes.

I am looking for any info or sources you might know of on the Tremont Building. I believe that it was built around 1895-6 and tore down sometime in the late 1980s? It stood at the corners of Tremont and Beacon St. and was apparently innovative in its time.

I am researching the history of the Massachusetts Forestry Association, a group that held its meetings there in the rooms of Landscape Architect James H. Bowditch (903) or on the 11th floor of the building in the rooms of the Appalachian Mountain Club. I find it very interesting that many nature groups and landscape architects had offices in the building, and am wondering why these groups were attracted to this place??

Thanks for any help you can offer,

Jay
 
Last edited:
The building was not torn down in the 1980s. A light court was infilled and a several story addition was added to the top. Suffolk University I believe either owns or is one of the primary tenants in that building now.

Many architecture firms in Boston were centered around that part of the city, in particularly Court Street, up through the 1930s for various reasons. The Boston Architectural Club had their offices in the area, as was old City Hall, and a few print suppliers because of Newspaper Row. Natural clustering of similar businesses.
 
Did the Boston Architectural Club become today's Boston Society of Architects?
 
Suffolk University now owns 73 Tremont, I'm pretty sure. I believe they were the primary tenant when the previous owner had put them in his will to receive the building, or something along those lines.
 
Thanks for all of your very helpful replies!

The fact that I could find so little info on the Tremont Building on the net led me to believe that it had been torn down. Thanks for correcting my error.

Thanks also for the link to the city records statements on the building's construction, as well as the comments about the prevalence of architectural firms in the area!
 
The Boston Public Library likely has the original blueprints archived and ISD keep copies of the original building permits. Whatever firm was responsible for the renovation and addition in the 1980s likely has an archive on the building as well if you're really interested in the details of the building. Might be worthwhile to contact Suffolk University and ask what information they have. They likely had someone perform due diligence in acquiring the property and have at least basic information on file as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top