John Hancock Observatory
Trinity Place and St. James Avenue
Boston
617-247-1977 or 617-572-6429

NOTE: The Boston Hancock Observatory has been "temporarily" closed since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 (although the Chicago Hancock Observatory remains open; go figure).

Summary: Although reviled at first for its stark contrast with Boston's traditional architectural style and for its habit of "raining glass," the John Hancock tower has come a long way in its twenty years. Now, most Bostonians express admiration for its sleek addition to the city skyline. Our favorite aspect of the tower is the observatory on the top floor, which provides some of the best views of Boston.

As his flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence attests, John Hancock (who ultimately became the first governor of Massachusetts) was not the shy, retiring type. The building that bears his name makes a similarly bold statement.

The Building's Design
Designed by I.M. Pei and completed in 1976, the John Hancock tower is 60 stories of shiny blue glass. Stories abound about how the windows fell from their frames soon after the tower was constructed, but the problem was finally solved by replacing the building's 13 acres of glass and strengthening the building's core.

This monolithic structure is adjacent to the Trinity Church, the Romanesque revival masterpiece designed by Henry Hobson Richardson in 1877. Their proximity was part of the controversy that originally surrounded the Hancock's design -- local critics were fearful that the new building would completely overwhelm the Trinity Church, which was considered by many to be one of Boston's main architectural jewels. In fact, Trinity Church is reflected on the Hancock's shimmering surface, making it seem even larger than it is.

What To See
The John Hancock Tower is an office building, and, as such, the lobby is not particularly remarkable. Head up to the Observatory on the 60th floor, however, and your attitude will change as you admire the terrific views of Copley Square, Boston's Back Bay and beyond.

Naturally, you will want to plan your visit for a clear day when you can see the furthest. We also recommend you consider heading up to the Observatory after dark when the lights of the city really make the view come alive.

Getting There
The John Hancock Observatory is easily accessible by foot if you are exploring such Back Bay delights as the Public Garden or the Boston Public Library. It is also easy to reach using mass transit: simply take the Green line to the Copley "T" stop or the Orange line to the Back Bay stop.

Decoding the Lights
For many Bostonians, the Hancock serves as a weather forecaster via column of lights at its top:

Steady blue - clear view
Flashing blue - clouds due
Steady red - rain ahead
Flashing red - snow instead.

Note though, that if you happen to see flashing red lights during baseball season, there is no need to dig out your boots. Red Sox fans know that flashing red means that the game at Fenway is canceled.

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