Isn’t it remarkable how buildings can whisper stories of bygone eras? Welcome to Ware Hall in Cambridge. It is a residential apartment building with a unique history. Ware Hall stands as a testament to a time when student lodging was elevated to an art form.
Ware Hall is located at 383 Harvard Street. It was designed by local architect George Fogerty. The building was completed in 1893. Fogerty also designed Claverly Hall. It is a similar building on Mount Auburn Street.
This five-story brick building showcases Classical Revival style. It is a rare example of an apartment house. It was designed to cater to Harvard University students. Ware Hall stands out from other apartment houses in the area. Similar apartment blocks were generally built closer to the Harvard campus.
At the time of its construction, Ware Hall was considered one of the most luxurious options for Harvard students. Some people saw it as a shift in student preferences. As one newspaper wrote, “It will not do to tell the freshmen of today that a ramshackle room that he is shown was once occupied by Daniel Webster or Thomas Jefferson.”
Its foundation is granite. The first story features light Scotch brick. Indiana limestone adorns the belts on the first and fourth stories. Ware Hall was the first dormitory to include a passenger elevator at the time of its construction.
Ware Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It is recognized for its architectural and historical significance. Ware Hall reminds us of a time when even student housing was crafted with elegance and attention to detail.