5 noteworthy architectural landmarks in Boston

The Boston Custom House, constructed in 1847 with a clock tower added in 1915, was Boston’s tallest structure until 1964. Originally a hub for maritime duties, this neoclassical building now serves as a Marriott timeshare hotel. Its observatory offers stunning harbor views and is accessible to the public during limited hours for a fee.

The Boston Public Library, a pioneering institution established in 1848, merges beaux arts and brutalist architecture. Home to over 23 million items, it boasts one of the largest collections in the U.S., featuring historical treasures from as early as the tenth century. Its grand interiors and vast resources make it a cultural and architectural landmark.

The Old State House in Boston, built in 1713, is the city’s oldest surviving public building. A beacon of Georgian-style architecture, it was the heart of the Massachusetts government until 1798. It is best known as the site of the Boston Massacre, but is also where Bostonian’s gathered to hear the Declaration of Independence on July 18, 1776. Today, it showcases revolutionary-era artifacts and remains a symbol of America’s fight for independence.

With its cast-iron façade, the McLauthlin Building stands as one of Boston’s earliest and rare examples of Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture – a style more typical in New York. Once a manufacturing plant for an elevator company, its preservation underscores its unique architectural and historical importance in a city dominated by brick and stone construction.

The Berkeley Building, an architectural gem from 1905, stands out in Boston’s Back Bay with its beaux arts style and ornate terracotta façade. With preserved sea motif decorations, including fish and shell sculptures, this commercial building exemplifies early 20th-century elegance and remains a striking example of the era’s architectural craftsmanship.