Custom House Tower Photo Thread

[statler]

The Custom House is probably one of the Most photogenic buildings in the city, more even (to me at least) than the Hancock.
Post any pictures you have (your own or found) here.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1138/761104822_826709bc03_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1345/760710572_4711a2aacb_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/760710506_4711a2aacb_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1429/760710480_017855b231_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/760710426_427148fa15_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1278/760710360_5e7ea0f93d.jpg

[Bos77]

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/143519915-L.jpg

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/170977668-L-1.jpg

[underground]

Every day I try and go on the tour of the Customs House Tower is the one day of the week that they aren't offered - some day I'll remember which day that is! Also, in the Bank of America on Atlantic Ave in the North End (the one next to the Starbucks) there is a small interactive display with some interesting stuff about the Tower and Boston history.

[DudeUrSistersHot]

mustve been awesome to work in the area when the customs house was in action...

my stepdad had a second office next door until customs moved (he's in the customs brokerage business), now they just have a grungy airport office and a lot of the paperwork is done electronically... oh well

[AdamBC]

http://www.adamgs.com/images/customshouse/customshouse1.jpg
http://www.adamgs.com/images/customshouse/customshouse2.jpg
http://www.adamgs.com/images/customshouse/customshouse3.jpg
http://www.adamgs.com/images/customshouse/customshouse4.jpg
http://www.adamgs.com/images/customshouse/customshouse5.jpg

I've always been a big fan of the Customs House. Wrote a paper about it in undergrad.

[Bos77]

Last time I went to the observatory, I lucked out. I always knew the clock mechanism was on the 17th floor in the hotel game room. But, every time I had gone there was no way to get access. Fortunately this time, the door opened to let a guest on the elevator, and I hopped off.

I wish the window on the clock was bigger though. Considering what is on the other side of it, it's very small window measuring no more than 20" x 30" I would guess.


http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/171338568-M.jpg

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/171338977-M.jpg

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/171338696-M.jpg

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/171339110-M.jpg

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/171338910-M.jpg

[castevens]

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/171338977-M.jpg

The Custom House Tower is haunted by the Ghost of a Pepsi Bottle

[Merper]

http://www.merper.com/public/Customs-House.jpg

http://www.merper.com/public/customs2.jpg

[justin]

http://bradys-doghouse.smugmug.com/photos/171338568-M.jpg

What's the name for that color - Clockwork Orange?

justin

[castevens]

It's too bad bowesst hasn't been around for about a month now, i'm sure this is one of him favorite buildings judging by his avatar

[statler]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x176/bstnstatler/IMG_0978-1.jpg

[bosma]

http://home.comcast.net/~gtboston/custom%20house%20old.jpg

[bostonbred]

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/8x10-photo-zeppelin-hindenburg-over-boston#

http://melrosemirror.media.mit.edu/servlet/pluto?state=30303470616765303037576562506167653030 3269643030353131353939]

http://www.judnick.com/images/Zeppelin_img020_small.jpg

http://www.judnick.com/images/Zeppelin_img039_small.jpg

http://www.judnick.com/images/Zeppelin_img034_small.jpg

[BostonUrbEx]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/4586020859_22b678fbfe_b.jpg

I didn't know I had the Customs House in any of my photos and just found this from December. :)

[ablarc]

What a sympathetic companion Graham Gund's building is for Faneuil Hall.

Similar bulk, similar fenestration, similar materials, similar kit of parts --with just enough deviation for interest.

Think how disruptive this building would be in glass. Even in a master's hands.

Time to shake the glass monkey off our backs.



Buildings need to be clad in something besides Saran Wrap. One Hancock might have been enough.

[Beton Brut]

It's a good neighbor, ablarc. Could Louis Kahn have done better, playing on his love of warehouses?

Architects need to learn to use glass with a better understanding of natural light. Aalto got it.

[Patriots_1228]

It's a shame nobody has the guts to build a new project with a facade similar to the older style buildings in this area. They all look terrific.

[ablarc]

^ Isn't Gund's building an example of what you're advocating?

[Boston02124]

Took this one yrs ago! was never any good at nite shots http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/Picture34239325.jpg I've posted these on here before,unsure where? http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/customshouse2004-1.jpg old newspaper clipping >http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/Picture3423925.jpg

[ablarc]

The last is a highly operatic distortion of reality worthy of Giacomo Puccini himself --an exact contemporary of this tower. In heaven, he applauds.

[JohnCostello]

Don't forget you have the right to go to the top of the Custom House at 10:00 AM and 4:00 everyday, weather permitting. Don't let the Marriott staff try to disuade you.

[kennedy]

Would you expect them to?

[ablarc]

It might cause them extra effort, as the elevator requires a plastic-card room key to activate at most times.

[Boston02124]

I might of posted these somewhere before? http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_0548.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_0549.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_0550.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_0551.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_0615.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1138.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1161.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1166.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1167.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1165.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1169.jpg the view from the top http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1171.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/100_1170.jpg

[Shepard]

I actually really like the bubble effect in pic #3!

[JohnAKeith]

Have never seen photo of Tower under construction, circa 1913-1915.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5693139459_c2d5b8bd4e.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/

[jass]

Why is this being allowed?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_0642.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_0641.jpg

[vanshnookenraggen]

It isn't like people are using that space.

[datadyne007]

That entrance is not open anyways.

[EdFindlay]

It isn't like people are using that space.

That doesn't matter...is that a fire hazard or violation of some fire regulation having the stairs blocked like that?

[Ron Newman]

I don't see how -- the stairs aren't actually blocked.

[datadyne007]

They just prefer to have people enter via the entry vestibules at the base (which get keycarded off after hours), rather than climbing the big stairs. Using those massive doors would just be rather ridiculous and a great amount of money would have to go their upkeep.

I can't remember if those doors even have EXIT signage.

[EdFindlay]

They just prefer to have people enter via the entry vestibules at the base (which get keycarded off after hours), rather than climbing the big stairs. Using those massive doors would just be rather ridiculous and a great amount of money would have to go their upkeep.

I can't remember if those doors even have EXIT signage.

If they don't have signage...someone is in deep trouble. They have to have them clearly marked and lit as an exit even if it's not the main exit from the building.

And regarding the cars...per http://www.cityofboston.gov/Images_Documents/preven_code_tcm3-4039.pdf in section 11.07 they can't be there- they are right at the bottom of hte stairs where the stairs meet hte street blocking egress. Even if it is only a secondary exit, they still do not belong there.

[jass]

My point was more aesthetic than safety. Its a public sidewalk. Cars shouldnt be there.

As for the heavy doors, on the inside, theyre marked as emergency ecit only.

[EdFindlay]

My point was more aesthetic than safety. Its a public sidewalk. Cars shouldnt be there.

As for the heavy doors, on the inside, theyre marked as emergency ecit only.

This and Pemberton Square should have cars outlawed...simply no place for them on the small plazas.

[BostonUrbEx]

This and Pemberton Square should have cars outlawed...simply no place for them on the small plazas.

This. But Center Plaza effectively deadens Pemberton anyways.

[EdFindlay]

This. But Center Plaza effectively deadens Pemberton anyways.

Original plans were for it to be tree lined park to go the back of Center Plaza, court officials killed that idea and made it their personal parking lot. A couple of decent sized trees in front of the courthouse would make all the difference but they "need" their spaces

[PaulC]

This. But Center Plaza effectively deadens Pemberton anyways.

I personally like the center plaza building, but i wonder if removing part of it and building a high rise that allows a wide opening to Pemberton Square might not be a big improvement for the area.

[EdFindlay]

I personally like the center plaza building, but i wonder if removing part of it and building a high rise that allows a wide opening to Pemberton Square might not be a big improvement for the area.

It depends on which of the buildings it is built on...One and Two wouldn't look as good as putting it at Three where it can blend in with the the other buildings nearby.

[PaulC]

Removing part of center plaza 3 and adding a high rise section, perhaps on both sections will open up views of the Adams Courthouse.

[EdFindlay]

Removing part of center plaza 3 and adding a high rise section, perhaps on both sections will open up views of the Adams Courthouse.

That's the only view you get, at least with removing 1 and 2 and replacing 3 with a hight rise you get the entire square opened up.