Federal Reserve Bank Building

The Federal Reserve Bank Building is Boston's fourth tallest building. Located at Dewey Square, on the convergence of Fort Point and the Financial District neighborhoods. In close proximity to the Boston Harbor, the Fort Point Channel and major intermodal South Station terminal, the building is marked by a distinctive opening near ground level which allows sea breezes to pass through.HistoryThe building was completed in 1977 and is 614 feet tall with 32 floors. It was designed by Hugh Stubbins Jr. of The Stubbins Associates, Inc. and was reportedly one of his favorite buildings. For over sixty years Reserve Banks had been fortress-like in their design; the new Boston Bank was quite a contrast. It sometimes referred to as "the washboard" building or "Venetian Blind" buildingDesign and featuresArchitectural detailsThe main features are a two-tower with a glass front and aluminum-sheathed sides.From the Bank's website The office tower linked to a four-story wing was erected between December 1972 and November 1974. The architects designed the tower office floors that rise from a 140-foot bridge "suspended" in the air between two end cores. A 600 ton major steel structure truss marks the beginning of the tower's "office in the air." The exterior is natural anodized aluminum, which acts as a curtain wall and weatherproof facing. The aluminum spandrels shade the building interior from the sun in the summertime and allow more sunlight in the winter months.