Harbor Towers, Residential skyscraper in Boston's waterfront, United States
Description
Harbor Towers comprises two residential buildings of 40 stories each, arranged in a distinctive pinwheel pattern around a central core that creates a dynamic visual composition. The structures feature massive concrete forms characteristic of brutalist design and house over 600 residential units ranging from studios to four-bedroom homes.
History
Designed by Henry N. Cobb of I. M. Pei & Partners, the towers opened in 1971 as a pioneering residential project on the waterfront. The development catalyzed the transformation of a former industrial warehouse district into a thriving residential neighborhood.
Culture
The concrete towers embody the brutalist style that defined 1970s architecture and shaped how people think about waterfront living. The pinwheel design creates a distinctive visual landmark that residents and visitors encounter daily along the harbor edge.
Practical
The towers are publicly visible from the waterfront but are private residential buildings with restricted interior access. The best views of the distinctive architecture can be enjoyed from the harborside walkway and nearby public spaces.
Did you know?
At the base of the towers sits a 1964 stainless steel sculpture by David von Schlegell that visitors frequently mistake for contemporary solar panels. The abstract metal piece is an overlooked artwork that adds another layer to the site's visual composition.
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