Boston City Hall

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

Address: 1 City Hall Sq, Boston, MA 02201-1020

GPS coordinates: 42.36030,-71.05800

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:00