Imagine soil, not bedrock, supporting this giant. We are standing before One Financial Center, a modern skyscraper. It stands adjacent to Dewey Square in Boston’s Financial District. Completed in 1983, One Financial Center is a testament to architectural ingenuity.
One Financial Center is Boston’s 11th-tallest building. It reaches 590 feet or 180 meters. The building has 46 floors. An unusual 90-foot tall glass-roofed lobby is called the atrium. This atrium occupies the first two stories. The remaining stories are offices. These offices house law firms, Certified Public Accountants, and financial services companies.
One Financial Center sits on a historic 1.23-acre triangular piece of land. It is next to South Station and the Federal Reserve Bank Building. This location joins the Fort Point Channel area with Boston’s Financial District.
During the Big Dig, extra care was needed. This was to avoid soil subsidence under One Financial Center. Construction occurred just 25 feet from the building’s foundation. The building was built on soil due to the site’s geography. It was not built on bedrock.
Two radio masts top One Financial Center. Including these masts, the building rises to 683 feet or 208 meters. This makes it the 4th-tallest in Boston by pinnacle height. The roof is flat with no crown, except for the masts and supporting cables.
Citizens Bank, HarbourVest Partners and Loomis, Sayles & Company are tenants. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo also have offices here. You’ll also find Technip and Pandora Radio within One Financial Center.
One Financial Center is more than just a building. It represents Boston’s financial prowess. It stands as a landmark, connecting different parts of the city. Its construction overcame significant engineering challenges. Next time you’re in the area, take a moment to appreciate this modern giant.