Custom House Tower
Located in the National Register of Historic Places - Custom House District, the original neoclassical- designed Boston Custom House building was completed in 1844 and the clock tower later completed in 1915. This National Historic Landmark was the tallest building in Boston until 1964.
3 McKinley Square Financial District Boston, MA
Architectural Features Neo-Classical Design < Original Base Structure > Cruciform (cross) Shaped Greek Doric Patio & Roman Dome 36 Fluted Doric Granite Columns Each Column - Single Piece of Granite Columns 32’ high | 5’ Diameter
Top Portion of Building 26th Floor | Observation Deck Tower Clock | 22’ Diameter | 4 Faces
Building Use and Transition Developed at Base of City Docks (prior to land reclamation) Location Facilitated Cargo Registration & Inspection Conversion to 80 Room Hotel Marriott Custom House
PROJECT SUMMARY
Project Description A Neo-Classical designed architectural and historic landmark comprised of a 3-story cruciform (cross) shape building with a Greek Doric portico, Roman dome and 36 fluted Doric columns, each carved from a single piece of granite from nearby Quincy, Massachusetts. The building was positioned at the base of the shipping docks, prior to land reclamation in the Boston seaport area. The 32 story, 356’ Custom House Clock Tower was later completed between 1913 - 1915 and was the tallest building in Boston until 1964.
Official Building Name Custom House Tower Marriott Custom House (2016)
Other Building Names Boston Custom House U.S. Custom House
Location Boston Custom House District | National Register of Historic Places 3 McKinley Square, Boston, MA in Boston’s Financial District Bordered by McKinley Square, State Street, India Street & Central Street
Original Custom House Site Purchased - 1837 | Completion - 1847
Clock Tower Start - 1913 | Completion - 1915
History Custom House original use - shipping inspection & registration Federally owned until 1987 Custom House Tower - Tallest building in Boston 1915 to 1964
LEADERSHIP | OWNERSHIP | PROJECT DESIGN
U.S. President Project Authorization - Andrew Jackson | Opening - James K. Polk
Boston Mayor Original Custom House - Josiah Quincy, Jr. Custom House Tower - James M. Curley
Building Owner Original - U.S. Government | Current - Marriott Corporation
Architect Original Custom House - Ammi Burnham Young Custom House Tower - Peabody & Stearns
Current Use Hotel - Marriott Vacation Club
NOTABLE FACTS
Entire structures sits on filled land, supported by 3,000 wooden piles driven through fill to bedrock.
Prior to mid-19th century land reclamation, ships moored at Long Wharf almost touched the eastern face of the Custom House building.
At 496’ in height, the tallest building in Boston 1915 - 1964. At the time of construction, Boston had a 125’ height restriction. However, the Custom House Tower was a federally-owned building and exempt from this restriction.
The original John Hancock building is 495’ (1’ shorter in height) and was completed in 1947. The 750’ Prudential Tower was completed in 1964.
The clock tower building includes a rotunda comprised of Vermont white marble covered by a dome.
Great Seal of the United States is painted in the lobby’s dome.
Clock (4 face) hands are made of copper-plated California redwood and weigh 101 & 141 pounds each.
Boston Custom House Boston Financial District
Custom House Tower Clock Four Faces 22’ in Diameter Hands comprised of Copper-plated California Redwood Weigh 101 & 141 pounds each.
Original Custom House Building A Neo-Classical designed architectural and historic landmark comprised of a 3-story cruciform (cross) shape building with a Greek Doric portico, Roman dome and 36 fluted Doric columns.