John Hancock Tower

Address:Boston, Massachusetts

The tallest building in New England is a literal reflection of local life: Covered by 10,344 panes of half-inch thick reflective glass, the John Hancock Tower is an impressive 60 story, 790-foot building with a view of the entire city of Boston. Unfortunately, since September 11, 2001, the building's observation deck is closed to visitors, but for anyone fortunate enough to work there or do business, the John Hancock Tower offers the best way to view Boston from above. The building is more than just an impressive tower. It is a weather beacon, an office building, and a popular landmark for tourists as well as locals. Bostonians look to the John Hancock Building for weather forecasts and baseball scores with the aid of a simple rhyme: "Steady blue, clear view. Flashing blue, clouds due. Steady red, rain ahead. Flashing red, snow instead. Flashing blue and red, The Curse of the Bambino is dead!" (Though, beware mentioning Bambino, former Red Sox player Babe Ruth, who was traded to the Yankees, to any local Bostonian, unless you are ready to engage in some serious baseball debate). Locals also know that flashing red in the summer means the Red Sox game has been postponed.

The modern glass panes of the John Hancock Tower, designed by architect I.M. Pei in 1976, sparked some controversy at first. Located between Boston's Back Bay district and Copley Square at 200 Clarendon Street, the building is surrounded by examples of 19th-century architecture such as Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. When it was first built, many critics argued that tower's modern architecture would clash with and detract from the older antique buildings. The building caused further scandal soon after its unveiling when it was found that during high winds, the enormous window panes dislodged and fell crashing to the street.

The John Hancock Tower is part of a collection of three buildings known as the "John Hancock Building," all built by the John Hancock Insurance Company. The John Hancock Tower is also commonly known by local Bostonians as "the Hancock," or "Hancock Place." During the years when the faulty window panes were being replaced and much of the Hancock was boarded up with plywood, locals dubbed the building with the wry moniker, "Plywood Palace."

The Hancock is the tallest building in Boston and New England, the 45th tallest building in the United States, and the 135th tallest building in the world. The other two buildings in this collection are the Tower's neighbors the John Hancock Building, and the lower Stephen L. Brown Building, or "Clarendon Building."

The 60th floor of the John Hancock Tower, the "Hancock Observatory," is currently closed to the public, but may open in the near future, since this public observation deck was actually a requirement for the original building permits. However, the nearby Prudential Tower in Copley Square is open for visitors who would like an impressive view of the city. On the way to the top floor, visitors can stop by the Shops at Prudential and the Copley Place Mall, a large upscale two-part mall connected by an indoor walkway, complete with a food-court and movie theater.

While you are downtown, consider visiting the nearby Copley Square area and Newbury Street, Boston's "5th Avenue," with unique upscale shops. If you need a place to stay in the area, the John Hancock Tower is surrounded by excellent hotels, including the Westin Copley Place, Marriot Copley Place, and Boston's largest hotel, The Sheraton, all of which are connected to the Hynes Convention Center. It is also worth it to check out Boston's new Taj Boston, formerly the Ritz Carlton Hotel, by Boston's Public Garden. While you're in town, visit the Cheer's Bar (based on the popular TV sitcom) or put on a Red Sox hat and see a game at nearby Fenway park if the season is right!

The John Hancock Tower is a 10-minute walk from the Copley Station of Boston's subway, "the T." It is not recommended to drive, since parking spaces are never easily found, but taxis are always an excellent choice.