Imagine being transported back to a time when ships lined Boston’s waterfront. Now, standing before the Custom House Tower, you’re witnessing a transformation etched in granite and steel. This isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to Boston’s maritime history and architectural ambition.
The Custom House Tower started as a Greek Revival building. Ammi Burnham Young designed it in the 1830s. Construction finished in 1849. The original Custom House resembled a Greek temple. It had 36 Doric columns made of granite. Each weighed 42 tons.
Think about this. The waterfront once came right up to this building. Ships docked at Long Wharf practically touched its eastern face. The Custom House facilitated cargo inspection and registration. It was a hub for collecting maritime duties.
But Boston grew. Shipping increased. By 1905, expansion was necessary. The architecture firm Peabody and Stearns added the tower between 1913 and 1915. This addition defied Boston’s height restrictions. The Custom House Tower became the city’s tallest building at 496 feet. The federal government owned it, so it was exempt from local limits.
Consider the audacity of building so high. For a time, only the Old John Hancock Building rivaled it. But the Custom House Tower stood as a symbol of progress.
The tower’s construction cost about $1.8 million. The tower contains a rotunda made of Vermont white marble. A balcony outside the top floor offered views of Mount Wachusett and Cape Ann.
Imagine the dedication ceremony. Dignitaries like Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Andrew James Peters and Mayor James Michael Curley attended. Robert Swain Peabody, the building’s architect, was also present. The tower opened on January 23, 1915.
The clock on the tower is 22 feet in diameter. Its hands are made of gold leaf painted California redwood. They weigh 101 and 141 pounds. The clock started ticking on April 6, 1916. An undersized motor caused problems for much of the 20th century.
Fast forward to 1986. Custom officials moved out. The Custom House became surplus property. The city of Boston bought it in 1987. For 14 years, it remained empty.
Various proposals emerged. Museums, offices, and residential developments were all considered. Finally, in 1995, the Beal Companies and Marriott announced plans for a timeshare resort. Jung Brannen Associates became the architects for the renovation.
One challenge was the limited space on each floor. The design team created custom-designed suites. They maximized the number of suites that could fit. The result was 87 one-bedroom suites with 22 different floor plans.
In 1997, the Marriott’s Custom House opened. It was later renamed Marriott Vacation Club Pulse at Custom House, Boston.
Today, the Custom House Tower stands as a blend of history and modern luxury. You can visit the observation deck for stunning city views. The tower is a National Historic Landmark. It connects Boston’s past with its present. Its neoclassical design remains a testament to architectural ambition.