Random Boston Architectural Finds

[squidman1]

Here's a specific thread just for the thing I love to find--random photos, diagrams, and plans of buildings and streets in Boston, from over the years. Sometimes I notice that Dirty Old Boston isn't quite the place to dump out some things, so voila!

 

[squidman1]

First off, a cross section of Back Bay Station. From "The Architecture of Kallmann McKinnell & Wood", 1988.

 

[squidman1]

"The Landmark Suite", by Peter Haines, in the atrium of 150 Federal (late 80s?)

 

[kz1000ps]

^ I never know whether to call that building 150 Fed or 100 High. I was a bike messenger back in 2007 and I think at the time we were calling it 150 Fed? Either way I know that lobby and I don't remember those pieces being there in 2007.

 

[squidman1]

Old sign outside 399 Boylston

Architectural drawing for said sign

 

[DBM]

View attachment 18941

"The Landmark Suite", by Peter Haines, in the atrium of 150 Federal (late 80s?)

Very soon (March opening announced) to be this.

 

[squidman1]

Travelers Building

 

[squidman1]

Vague photo of steel construction on Travelers, 1959

 

[squidman1]

Lafayette Place's shopping arcade (mockup?)

 

[squidman1]

Successories store, Prudential Center, 1993

 

[squidman1]

Pru sconce diagram

 

[Arenacale]

View attachment 18984

Lafayette Place's shopping arcade (mockup?)

I'm surprised at the lack of outright documentation on Lafayette Place's interior online. My mother took us there countless times as a kid but I only have vague memories of it beyond the KB Toys and Original Cookie Co. Would love to see more of the interior and even a mall map if it exists.

View attachment 18985

Successories store, Prudential Center, 1993

I want to go in this store, even if there's nothing I want to buy.

 

[bigpicture7]

View attachment 18985

Successories store, Prudential Center, 1993

Oh gosh, Successories. Nothing epitomizes the Go-Go '90s quite like it.

 

[squidman1]

Here's a really cool one. This is the original lobby of 28 State Street, in 1970. (Progressive Architecture, May 1970)

 

[squidman1]

And this was the restaurant club on the top floor!

 

[squidman1]

 

[chrisbrat]

Another top-floor restaurant with killer views that we had, but lost.

 

[atlantaden]

Another top-floor restaurant with killer views that we had, but lost.

Almost took your breath away when you first walked in and took in the view. I'd have to say, IMHO, the view here was much more dramatic than the view from Top of the Hub. I know, that's saying a lot.

 

[chrisbrat]

The Bay Tower Room (pretty much the equivalent sight-lines; just bigger/more windows) at next-door 60 State Street was also pretty incredible, it seems. I know you can still rent the space out for private functions (the "State Room"), but that's nowhere near as inclusive or cool as just deciding to go eat high atop the streets of the city at a "normal" restaurant.

 

[atlantaden]

Now that I think about it, the Bay Tower Room made the biggest impression on me (I was probably in my late 20's when I ate there) with that two story dining room and those massive ceiling to floor plate glass windows. Why it's not open as a regular restaurant is a mystery, they'd make a fortune.