LOVE IS IN THE #BOSTON AIR #3
Love is in the #Boston Air
During the month of February, The Penney + Gould Team continues to share the top reasons why we love Boston. Reason #1: PROXIMITY and Reason was #2 IMPACT. Photograph by @jjamison1973.
REASON #3:
ARCHITECTURE + HISTORY
John Gould is the The Penney + Gould Team's architecture and design specialist.
Old + New: Love Stands the Test of Time
With it’s rich architectural history, spanning three centuries, it’s easy to get swept up in Boston’s history and character. From Charles Bulfinch’s row houses in Beacon Hill to H.H. Richardson’s Trinity Church reflected in IM Pei’s mirrored 1976 skyscraper in Back Bay, walk down almost any street and you will be surrounded by these types of examples. This evocative image (shown above) of old reflected in new represents the strong metaphor for Boston’s desire to recognize its roots in history, while always looking ahead to the future.
Beacon Hill: The Alpha to My Omega
While great architecture can be found in any direction in Boston, Beacon Hill is most famous for its Bulfinch designed, Federal-style row-houses developed in the 1780s, making it one the oldest residential neighborhoods in Boston. It is also one of the best preserved neighborhoods in Boston, least affected by so-called “urban renewal” projects of post World War II. For many people, their love affair with Boston begins in Beacon Hill.
South End: The Romance is Still Trending
By 1850, Boston became the hub of the industrial revolution in the U.S. and the city began reclaiming more land west and south of downtown in response to this rapid growth. During this time, the South End was developed, dominated by stately Second Empire Victorian Brownstones - the trendy style of the period. This neighborhood had all the modern conveniences of the time; a product of the industrial revolution. Many of the fine architectural details of this period are still in tact in the homes throughout South End neighborhood. Many clients consistently cite the South End as their first choice when looking for a home in the city because of its neighborhood feel with well-preserved 19th century brownstones and tree-lined streets. (The South End is the home of John Gould.)
Back Bay: My Parisian Beaux
As the city grew during the final decades of the 19th century, the tidal harbor where the Charles River meets the Bay was filled in with soil taken from three prominent nearby hills. By 1880, the Back Bay neighborhood was completed. The success of Haussman’s reconfiguration of Paris with its broad boulevards and grid-layout motivated Boston to adopt this form and style. A central boulevard reminiscent of Paris, with a tree-lined park running down the middle was laid out, creating now famous Commonwealth Avenue. Large Victorian homes began lining the streets, and as the neighborhood grew westward and evolved over the next few decades, grand examples of Beaux-Arts and Neo-Classical buildings were added to the collage of pre-war styles. Back Bay still radiates the opulence of America during this period, leading up to World War II. (Back Bay is the home of Daisy Penney.)
Who Needs a Diamond When You Have an Emerald?
In 1879, following his success with New York City’s central Park, Frederick Law Olmstead, the nation’s first Landscape Architect, sought to connect the 300 year old Boston Common, bordering the Back Bay and Beacon Hill neighborhoods with other parks throughout the city, creating what would be called the “Emerald Necklace,” surrounding Boston. Today, this greenbelt begins at Boston Common, passes through the Victorian-era Public Garden, down Commonwealth Avenue to the Back Bay Fens. The Emerald Necklace then winds southwest following the Muddy River, creating Boston’s border with Brookline, south into Jamaica Way and Jamaica Pond, and finally completing its meandering path at the Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park- four miles south of the Common. Olmstead’s naturalistic approach in design creates a haven of green spaces throughout the entire city.
Today and Moving Forward: A Renaissance Romance
Today, some of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods downtown are seeing a renaissance. A paradigm shift in the way we think about cities has allowed parts Boston that no one considered viable residential neighborhoods to become attractive. Downtown Crossing, is a prime example of this. Some of the city’s best examples of Victorian and Beaux-Arts architecture can be found here and developers are seeing the importance of preserving the beautiful bones of these buildings, while creating modern interiors. More frequently than ever, we hear from clients who are seeking out the quality of life that occurs when they live within walking distance of where they work and play. This shift in priorities has sparked a renaissance in the downtown neighborhoods of Boston that once saw dense residential populations in their urban cores - prior to our reliance on cars. New life is being breathed into these neighborhoods, and for the most part, beautiful infrastructure is already there!
Boston’s rich architectural history ultimately creates a strong sense of place, allowing residents to take pride in their city. Being surrounded by beautiful examples of architecture act as a subconscious reminder of everything that’s happened here and everyone that’s lived here over the past 300 years, strengthening our connection to our home. Walking the streets of Boston every day allows us to walk through the patchwork of history and become more in touch with where we’ve been, who we are, and who we want to become.
Thank you!
Thank you for the many referrals. A referral is the best compliment we can receive. To learn about rental apartments, buying, off-market properties, or information on the value of your home, contact us directly at pgteam@compass.com.
The Penney + Gould Team
