Custom House Tower (Boston)

The base of the Boston Custom House was completed in 1847 in a classic Greek Revival style. The iconic Beaux-Arts clock tower was later added in 1915, raising the building to roughly 500 feet tall. The tower addition was designed by the architectural firm Peabody and Stearns.

Yes, once the Beaux-Arts tower was added in 1915, it became Boston's tallest structure and held that title for nearly half a century. It remained the tallest building in the city until the Prudential Tower was completed in the 1960s. It remains one of the most recognizable landmarks near the waterfront.

Yes, the historic building located near Boston's waterfront has been adaptively reused and currently operates as a Marriott hotel. Visitors can rent rooms within the tower, some of which feature unique, oddly-shaped layouts due to the historical architecture. The building also offers an observation deck at the top of the tower.

The building is an interesting mix of two distinct architectural styles from different centuries. Its base is a historic Greek Revival structure originally built for federal customs operations. The massive tower added in 1915 is distinctly Beaux-Arts, featuring ornate columns and a massive clock face.