Boston City Hall, Municipal building in Government Center, United States
Boston City Hall is a nine-story concrete structure in the brutalist style located in Government Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The recessed upper floors project out over a wide base, while large supports carry the main levels and create an open space at ground level.
The building was completed in 1968 following a competition held in 1962 that favored young architects and rejected traditional designs. The relocation of city government here marked a large-scale redevelopment of the neighborhood, removing older streets and buildings.
This building sparked heated debate when it opened and continues to divide opinion among residents and architects today. The open plaza in front of the entrance was meant to serve as a gathering place for civic events, though it rarely fulfills that role in practice.
The town hall is open on weekdays during business hours for administrative visits and offers applications and services for residents. The main entrance is located at City Hall Plaza, and visitors should expect security checks when entering.
Some architectural historians consider this town hall one of the most important examples of brutalism in North America. The unusual construction with cantilevered upper floors was intended to represent both hierarchy and transparency at the same time.
Location: Boston
Inception: 1968
Architects: Kallmann, McKinnell and Knowles, Campbell, Aldrich & Nulty
Official opening: February 10, 1969
Architectural style: brutalist architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Address: 1 City Hall Sq, Boston, MA 02201-1020
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00
Phone: +16176354500
Email: mayor@boston.gov
Website: https://cityofboston.gov
GPS coordinates: 42.36030,-71.05800
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:43
Brutalist architecture emerged in the decades following World War II, producing buildings that challenged conventional design through their honest expression of materials and function. From Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation in Marseille to Louis Kahn's National Assembly in Dhaka, these structures define a global movement that prioritized raw concrete, bold geometric forms and exposed construction elements. The style reached across continents, shaping university libraries in Chicago, government buildings in Boston and Chandigarh, residential towers in London, and cultural centers in São Paulo. Each building reflects the architectural philosophy of its time, when architects sought to create functional spaces through direct expression of structure and material. This collection documents examples from Europe, Asia, North and South America, representing the full range of building types that defined the movement. You'll find administrative complexes that house parliaments and municipal offices, educational facilities serving major universities, residential towers providing urban housing, and cultural institutions including museums and theaters. The structures share common characteristics—concrete left exposed to show its texture and formwork patterns, geometric compositions that emphasize mass and volume, and architectural elements that reveal rather than conceal how buildings stand and function. These sites offer insight into a period when architects reimagined how modern cities could be built and how public spaces could serve their communities.
Freedom Trail
109 m
Faneuil Hall
143 m
Old State House
174 m
Quincy Market
249 m
Union Oyster House
152 m
King's Chapel
299 m
New England Holocaust Memorial
131 m
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
168 m
Boston National Historical Park
188 m
Exchange Place
259 m
City Hall Plaza
90 m
60 State Street
190 m
Ames Building
205 m
One Boston Place
203 m
Statue of Benjamin Franklin
293 m
Suffolk County Courthouse
299 m
28 State Street
119 m
Provident Institution for Savings in the Town of Boston
240 m
Improv Asylum
168 m
Cornhill
75 m
Statue of Josiah Quincy III
293 m
A Once and Future Shoreline
148 m
Blackstone Block Historic District
125 m
Concert Hall (Boston)
190 m
Sears' Crescent and Sears' Block
152 m
Second Brazer Building
220 m
Merchants Exchange
226 m
The Great Hall
161 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes