Hancock of the day...

[vanshnookenraggen]

Yeah, the natives used to use it as a place to catch fish

It's been there for a long time though, not sure how long.

[dirtywater]

The statue was dedicated in October of 2002. From the Daily Free Press, the BU student newspaper (http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/...305665.shtml):

Colonial artist honored by statue in Copley Square
Aaron Kellogg
Issue date: 10/24/02 Section: News
PrintEmail DoubleClick Any Word Page 1 of 1
Media Credit: Betsy Croft
Mayor Thomas Menino speaks yesterday at the unveiling of a statue in Copley Square representing one of Boston?s Colonial artists.


One of America's foremost colonial artists was honored by a statue unveiled yesterday at a ceremony in Copley Square, the only square in America named after an artist.

The statue of John Singleton Copley, who was a Boston resident, was donated to the City of Boston by the Friends of Copley Square. The unveiling kicked off a week of city-wide events to honor Copley.

A colonial drum-and-bagpipe corps entertained the public before the official ceremony got underway. The event formally began at 2 p.m. with the tolling of the bells at the Old South Church in Copley Square.

Donald Kissel, chairman of the Friends of Copley Square, welcomed guests and explained why the Friends of Copley Square chose five years ago to erect a statue in this location.

"The purpose of public art is to educate, to inspire, to create a sense of awe and pride in the viewer and I am told Copley Square is the only square in America that is named after an artist," said Kissel. "The Friends of Copley Square, knowing this, decided five years ago to get serious about [incorporating art into the plaza]."

Stella Trafford, vice president of the Friends of Copley Square, thanked those involved with the project, including sculptor Lewis Cohen. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino followed Trafford and praised the Friends' effort.

"This is truly another great step in [the Copley Square improvement project]," he said. Menino pointed out how the square is currently undergoing a project to re-route traffic, making the plaza more pedestrian-friendly.

"Someday we will have the greatest plaza in the world. I love plazas and the open space. They are what make Boston a unique city," he said.

Menino then unveiled the bronze statue of Copley and turned the podium over to the statue's creator, Lewis Cohen, who spoke on the pride associated with replicating such a famous figure.

"I am profoundly grateful and honored to have been given this opportunity to make the sculpture of John Singleton Copley. I have felt a deep sense of purpose and responsibility," said Cohen.

However, Cohen's success didn't come at an easy price, he said.

"From the onset, I have been keenly aware of the responsibility of placing a sculpture, a personal vision, into a public space," he said. "At times I have been overwhelmed by the daunting demands and enormity of this project and what it means. At many junctures I struggled to avoid having the sheer power and importance of Copley overpower and intimidate my own vision. The historical and aesthetic restraints have been demanding. The genre of historical personage sculpture does not afford great latitude for interpretation and one is obliged to faithfully represent as one should the period with accuracy and fidelity."

The statue is located to the left of Trinity Church in Copley Square.

[kz1000ps]

From Peter Blake's 1978 book, "Form Follows Fiasco."

[Boston02124]

Hancock of the nite! 2 3 2 5 7 11 12 last one!

[TheBostonBoy]

Seeing pictures of the Hancock never gets old

[PaulC]

Can someone with a subscription to Banker & Tradesman post this article:

Nothing to See Here
By Thomas Grillo
Manulife Financial Corp., one of the world?s largest life insurance companies, is forfeiting millions annually by keeping the John Hancock Tower Observatory closed.

http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/

[vanshnookenraggen]

Nothing to See Here

Owner of Hancock Tower To Keep Observation Deck Out of Public Eye
By Thomas Grillo
Reporter


Manulife Financial Corp., one of the world?s largest life insurance companies, is forfeiting millions annually by keeping the John Hancock Tower Observatory closed.

New York City?s tallest structure, the Empire State Building, attracts more than 2 million visitors to its observation deck annually and rakes in $34 million in ticket fees. Chicago?s tallest, the Sears Tower, sees 1.3 million visitors and nets $18 million in revenues.

But Boston?s tallest building has been closed for almost seven years ? and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitor?s Bureau president says that?s just fine.

The parent company of John Hancock Financial Services said security concerns prompted the company to shut down the observation deck after the terrorist attacks in 2001.

?The terror attack made the closure more pressing as the company?s first responsibility was to the safety of its employees and the building?s tenants and guests,? Tina Acranis, a spokes-woman for Manulife?s real estate division, said in an e-mail. ?These concerns continue to warrant the return of the 60th floor to its originally intended use, that is, office space.?

Patrick Moscaritolo, president of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the city does not need the John Hancock Observatory because the Hub has another observation deck atop the Prudential Building.

?We don?t need two observatories,? he said. ?I?ve never heard anyone raise the concern that we only have one; most cities do not have multiple observation decks. We have the Pru Skywalk, and it fills the need for visitors.?

The Prudential Skywalk attracts more then 200,000 visitors annually with an average ticket price of $10, earning an estimated $2 million in revenues.

But at least one Boston City Councilor is angry that the Hancock observation deck remains shuttered.

?Every other observatory across the U.S. has been reopened with increased security, and the fact that the Hancock Tower is still closed is unfair and a mistake,? Boston City Councilor Michael Ross told Banker & Tradesman.

The Empire State Building closed briefly in the wake of 9/11, but opened within weeks. The Sears Towers closed for a short time following the terrorist attacks, but later reopened.

?The observatory was something that most Bostonians remember fondly and they?re upset that it remains closed. I couldn?t agree more. This was a very important public space that?s been lost,? Ross said.

John Hancock sold the Hancock Tower and two nearby buildings ? at 197 Clarendon St. and 200 Berkeley St. ? to Beacon Capital Partners in 2003 for $910 million. In 2006, Beacon sold the city?s tallest skyscraper and nine smaller properties in other cities to Broadway Real Estate Partners in a $3.3 billion deal.

Allan Rubenstein, director of asset management for Broadway Partners, did not return calls seeking comment.

Susan Elsbree, a spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, said it was her understanding there was agreement with the owners when the tower was built in the 1970s to keep the top floor open to the public. But she said staff has been unable to find any documents that could be used by the BRA?s attorneys to persuade Broadway Partners to open the observatory to the public.

?Without those documents, the attorney?s hands are tied,? she said.

Link

I've always found the closure ridiculous, especially since the JHT had a nicer obs deck.

[Pierce]

i wish these people would be as adamant about every other stupid post-9/11 security overreaction in this city. Particularly those around city and state government buildings. Maybe a ban on jersey barriers outside of highways...

[PaulC]

In order to build this building at this location Hancock promised the city an observation deck. If they renege on their legal commitment then it's time to tear the building down.

[Pierce]

Originally Posted by PaulC

In order to build this building at this location Hancock promised the city an observation deck. If they renege on their legal commitment then it's time to tear the building down.

Did you go to Hollywood Upstairs Law School too?

[PaulC]

There seems to be a sarcasm gap on this forum recently.

[Pierce]

thus is life in a world of no emoticons

[GMACK24]

I just got off the phone with my cousin who just moved into the Hancock he said its a "dump" inside. : o )

[KentXie]

We can always add a =D or a =P or a to symbolize sarcasm?

[statler]

^^ That's a stupid idea.

[Suffolk 83]

Originally Posted by GMACK24

I just got off the phone with my cousin who just moved into the Hancock he said its a "dump" inside. : o )

Funny you say that because my cousin, er his wife, works in the Hancock and she said her law firm just renovated this area into a rediculous lounge complete with a spa and mohagony throughout, pool tables and a working fireplace! in the Hancock! don't know how that works, exactly. I'm sure your cousin is right, it probably all depends on what floor your on and if the company has remodeled recently.

[pelhamhall]

It's been a while...



Modernist perfection, marred by one street light and the Clarendon's crane.

A friend of mine toured the property recently and took a TON of pics inside and out... more to come.

[pelhamhall]

more from my friend who recently toured the property:


INSIDE OUT:

[J6P]

I used to work on 42 there. You'd be amazed at the things that fly by the window at 400 feet.

Do the doors still creak when it's windy?

I had a job that required me to work on the Fourth. Looking down on the fireworks was fun.

Not a fan of the way it slams into the street, or focuses wind. By I do have fond memories.

[bosma]

Originally Posted by GMACK24

I just got off the phone with my cousin who just moved into the Hancock he said its a "dump" inside. : o )

Your cousin must work for a dump of a company. I have seen the most impressive floors in Boston at the Hancock to the ugliest floors in boston (usually the John Hancock floors). As said previously it all depends on the what the tenant builds.