Flour and Grain Exchange Building

In 1885, two titans of Boston’s mercantile world, the Boston Commercial Exchange and the Boston Produce Exchange, joined forces. They formed the Boston Chamber of Commerce. This new entity needed a home, a grand edifice reflecting its burgeoning power. Henry Melville Whitney, a prominent Boston developer, stepped forward. He generously donated land for the construction of the Flour and Grain Exchange Building. The architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge, successors to the renowned Henry Hobson Richardson, took on the monumental task. Their design, a Romanesque Revival masterpiece, aimed to project an aura of financial stability and prosperity. Construction of the Flour and Grain Exchange Building began in 1891. The building was completed in 1893. The exterior, crafted from sturdy Milford pink granite, exudes strength and permanence. The Flour and Grain Exchange Building stands proudly at 177 Milk Street, its conical roof crowned with dormers, a beacon in the Custom House District. The Boston Chamber of Commerce initially occupied the Flour and Grain Exchange Building until 1902. The building then became home to the Flour and Grain Exchange, cementing its place in Boston’s commercial history. A plaque inside commemorates a significant event: the 5th International Congress of Chambers of Commerce in 1912. President William Howard Taft graced the Flour and Grain Exchange Building with his presence, alongside delegates from fifty-five nations. In 1988, the Beal Companies undertook a meticulous restoration of the Flour and Grain Exchange Building’s facade. This ensured the building’s continued elegance. Today, the Flour and Grain Exchange Building stands as a testament to Boston’s rich commercial heritage. The building continues to house various businesses. Its distinctive silhouette, crowned by its unique roof, remains a recognizable landmark in the city’s skyline.