100 Federal Street
A modernist skyscraper that has anchored Boston’s Financial District for over fifty years, this 591-foot tower served as headquarters for two major banking institutions and remains a symbol of the city’s corporate legacy.
At a glance
Rising 37 floors and 591 feet, 100 Federal Street ranks as Boston’s 11th-tallest building. Completed in 1971, it anchors the Financial District with distinctive modernist architecture and a long association with major financial institutions.
History
The building opened in 1971 as the First National Bank Building and served as world headquarters for Bank of Boston and, later, BankBoston. When Fleet Financial Group of Providence merged with BankBoston to form FleetBoston Financial, the tower became the merged entity’s headquarters. Bank of America acquired the building in 2004 and continues to maintain substantial operations there. Boston Properties purchased the structure in March 2012 for $615 million, with Bank of America retaining long-term office leasing rights. The building’s official name was formally changed to its street address during the transaction.
What you see
The tower’s distinctive silhouette, nicknamed the “Pregnant Building” for its curved, swollen profile, reflects the modernist design vocabulary of early 1970s American corporate architecture. Its geometric form remains a recognizable presence in Boston’s skyline.
Cultural significance
100 Federal Street embodies Boston’s transformation into a major financial center during the late twentieth century. The building’s long tenure as banking headquarters reflects the city’s enduring role in American commerce and finance.
Key facts
- Height: 591 feet (180 m)
- Floors: 37
- Rank: Boston’s 11th-tallest building
- Year completed: 1971
- Current owner: Boston Properties, Inc. (as of 2012)
- Coordinates: 42.355°N, 71.056°W
Practical information & getting there
Located in Boston’s Financial District, 100 Federal Street is accessible via public transportation including the MBTA’s subway and bus networks. The building houses Bank of America offices and is primarily open to business visitors during regular business hours.
Sources & resources
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