Batterymarch Building/Public Service Building - Boston, MA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 21.450 W 071° 03.180
19T E 330927 N 4691511
The Batterymarch Building/Public Service Building is considered the first Art Deco 'Skyscraper' in Boston, which is currently occupied by the Hilton Boston Downtown.
Waymark Code: WMF3AJ
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 08/15/2012
Views: 7
In Boston's Financial District, along Broad Street, is the Boston Hilton, Downtown, which is in an Art Deco style building known either as the Batterymarch or the Public Service Building.
The building is bounded by Broad Street, Batterymarch Street, and Franklin Street and is two blocks from Post Office Square Park. Though the address is 54-68 Batterymarch, the main entrance is on Broad Street. The building is occupied by both Hilton Hotel and Northeastern (Downtown Campus).
There is a sign on the Broad Street side that aptly describes the building. The text is as follows:
"Hailed as Boston's first Art Deco sky-scraper, the Battermarch Building was the city's tallest downtown structure when it opened in 1928. Designed by Harold Field Kellogg, it features 30 different colors of brick and ornamental motifs indicative of the evolution of public utilities including a clipper ship, covered wagon, airplane and dynamo. The building's name refers to the path taken by colonial troops to the nearby Fort Hill garrison.
A Designated Boston Landmark
The Boston Landmark Commission
City of Boston
The Bostonian Society"
The shape is irregular, with three 'fins' forming an 'E' shaped roofline. At 14 stories, it wouldn't be considered a skyscraper by most current definitions, including Waymarking.com. But it is a striking building, even if it is crowded by other buildings. Another site mentioned that the 30 variations of color in the bricks was designed to give the appearance that the building is perpetually in the glow of the setting sun. Other details are visible all around the building that make it an interesting structure to ponder. At the time of visit, there was covering on the Batterymarch Street side of the building.
Inside, the building has gone through some changes that resulted in loss of much of its original designs, but rennovation by the Wyndham Hotel restored some of the art deco style. There is a mural in the dining area.
Other Sources:
Art Deco Society of Boston (Public Service Building):
(
visit link)
Northeastern University (Downtown Campus Map):
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visit link)