Standing proudly in Boston's Back Bay, 500 Boylston Street is one of the most recognizable and polarizing skyscrapers in New England. Completed in 1989 by John Burgee Architects with Philip Johnson, this 25-story postmodern tower breaks away from sterile corporate glass boxes. It borrows heavily from classical Italian design, most notably drawing comparisons to St. Peter's Square with its sweeping, open-air courtyard and monumental masonry. Beyond its architectural lineage, the building anchors a vibrant commercial hub, serves as a pop culture landmark, and represents a defining era of urban design battles in Boston.
The Postmodern Vision of Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson's career spanned multiple architectural movements, from high modernism to playful postmodernism. By the late 1980s, Johnson turned away from plain glass and steel curtains, embracing historical ornament and classical proportions instead.
At 500 Boylston Street, this philosophy comes to life through a rich blend of granite facades, oversized arched entries, and rhythmic colonnades. The building's base engages directly with the pedestrian streetscape rather than turning its back on the city. It creates a welcoming urban room that invites foot traffic off the busy Back Bay sidewalks.
Historical Allusions and Classical Details
The layout of the tower relies on classical symmetry and historical cues.
- The Colonnade Wings: Symmetrical low-rise wings flank the main entrance, utilizing soaring columns that reference ancient Roman temples.
- The Courtyard Concept: The open forecourt serves as a modern interpretation of European piazzas, giving visitors a dramatic sense of arrival.
- The Roofline: Instead of a flat slab, the top features ornamental setbacks and masonry details that stand out against the Boston skyline.
Urban Planning Battles in the Back Bay
The creation of 500 Boylston Street didn't happen in a vacuum. It emerged from intense urban planning debates during the 1980s boom. Originally, developers envisioned twin towers occupying the entire block with matching forecourts. Public opposition, strict zoning concerns, and historic preservation priorities reshaped those ambitions.
City planners worried about massive shadows cast over historic districts and the loss of human scale in the Back Bay. As a compromise, the second tower project shifted. Robert A.M. Stern later designed the adjacent 222 Berkeley Street to be a quieter, more restrained companion rather than an identical twin. This compromise preserved sightlines and created a rich architectural dialogue between two distinct interpretations of urban classicism.
Pop Culture Fame and Boston Legal
For many people outside of Massachusetts, 500 Boylston Street is instantly familiar as the home of the fictional law firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt on the television drama Boston Legal.
While exterior shots and establishing views grounded the show in Boston's legal and financial district, the actual television production took place on sets in Los Angeles. Producers chose the building because its striking facade and monumental entrance instantly signaled prestige, corporate power, and civic importance. Fans of the show still visit the corner of Boylston and Berkeley streets to photograph the grand entrance.
Building Specifications and Modern Operations
Behind its historic styling, 500 Boylston Street functions as a high-performance corporate asset. Developed to meet Class A standards, the property offers flexible floor plates, advanced mechanical systems, and underground parking shared with neighboring commercial spaces.
Property management has continually updated the structure to meet modern environmental benchmarks. The building has earned multiple industry recognitions, including ENERGY STAR certifications and BOMA Building of the Year awards, proving that postmodern masonry structures can adapt to 21st-century sustainability standards. You can read more about sustainable building operations through the U.S. Department of Energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed 500 Boylston Street?
The building was designed by John Burgee Architects, with legendary architect Philip Johnson acting as the design consultant.
How many floors does the building have?
The structure features 25 stories above ground, housing retail spaces on the lower levels and Class A office suites above.
Is the courtyard open to the public?
Yes. The open-air forecourt and ground-level streetscapes are accessible to pedestrians, serving as a popular thoroughfare in the Back Bay neighborhood.
Why is the building famous?
Aside from its distinct postmodern architecture, it gained widespread international fame as the exterior location for the TV show Boston Legal. You can explore broader architectural context via the Society of Architectural Historians.
