“Aided the local region during the depths of the Great Depression.” That’s just one story McCormack Hall has to tell. This magnificent Art Deco building stands as a testament to Boston’s history. Originally named the U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Federal Building, McCormack Hall is more than just a pretty facade.
McCormack Hall is located at 5 Post Office Square. It occupies an entire city block. This skyscraper has twenty-two stories. It reaches a height of 331 feet.
Let’s step back in time. The year is 1933. Imagine the hustle and bustle of Boston’s Financial District. A new structure rises. It is grander than anything seen before. This is the McCormack Hall. It replaced an overcrowded Post Office and Sub-Treasury Building.
The Public Buildings Act of 1926 funded this larger structure. It was meant to service greater Boston. Boston was a metropolitan power. It was the fourth largest postal district in the United States. The building also accommodated a courthouse and related agencies.
The architecture of McCormack Hall is stunning. It’s a superb example of Art Deco civic architecture. The building helped define the city’s early twentieth-century skyline. Its frame is steel and reinforced concrete. The foundation rests on a nine-foot-thick concrete mat. This mat distributes the building’s load.
Notice the three towers. They rise above a five-story base. The towers exploit the sloping site. The Devonshire Street tower has twenty-two stories. The north and south arms have seventeen stories. The upper floors of the Devonshire tower step back in ziggurat fashion. This allows light and air to reach street level.
The exterior is clad in New England granite. Dark grey Quincy granite is at the basement. Lighter grey Concord granite graces the first two stories. Even lighter Chelmsford granite adorns the upper floors. Indiana limestone clads the central court. It also covers the top six floors of the Devonshire Street tower.
The Congress Street elevation is the most dramatic. It overlooks the square. The square was created after the Great Fire of 1872. This elevation features a five-story pavilion. The pavilion connects the two flanking towers. Deeply inset bays are set between colossal granite pilasters.
Inside McCormack Hall, you’ll find stone and marble. These materials are smooth and carved. They are present in the lobbies and public entrances. Grand stairways adorn the Devonshire and Congress Street sides. Seven original courtrooms and a library add to the grandeur.
The Devonshire lobby features a seventeen-foot-tall aluminum window group. A massive geometric bronze exterior grille covers it. A spread-winged, deco-styled eagle motif appears throughout the building.
McCormack Hall was rededicated in 1972. It honored John W. McCormack. McCormack was a U.S. Congressman. He acted as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1962 until 1971.
In 2009, an extensive renovation was completed. The project included a roof replacement. New energy-efficient windows were installed. Mechanical and electrical systems were upgraded. New exterior insulation and a green roof were added. Office space was modernized.
McCormack Hall stands as a symbol of Boston’s resilience. It represents architectural innovation. It is a tribute to a respected politician. As you stand before this building, remember its rich history. Remember its architectural significance. McCormack Hall is a true Boston landmark.