Prudential Tower
Boston, USA

HEIGHT: 229m/750 feet
FLOORS: 52 floors
COMPLETION: 1964
ARCHITECT: The Luckman Partnership Inc/ Hoyle, Doran & Berry Architects

The Prudential Center, with its 52 floors and 750 feet, was the tallest building outside of Manhattan when it was completed in 1964. It is the focal point of the huge Prudential Center and has an observation deck and resturant at the top. It's located in the Back Bay on Boylston Street.

http://photo.starblvd.net/RateOurTalls/1-2-5-1078348292?m=1&pg=0&ro=1&co=4

http://people.ee.ethz.ch/~skuenzli/Pics/usa/IMGP0235.JPG

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rotpics01/prubos01.jpeg

The lobby
http://www.cbtarchitects.com/images/projects/office_mixed/proj_photo_pru_pic1.jpg

Sorry, I don't like it at all ;( 4/10

a bit too boxy. I still like the appearence though. 4/10

7, mainly cos it looks good from a far veiw..

but from close up,...EWWW!

The window layout is very good, though the shape of the building is very plain and boxy, not as good as JHT.

6/10

7/10

It looks massive and important. How old is it?

The Prudential Tower was built in 1964 and is 750 feet high. It has 52 stories in it. Also there is 1, 178, 310 ft2 of office space. The Pru is the tallest tower out of 7 other major buildings in the Prudential Center plus a large underground parking garage and shoping mall. At the top of the tower is a resturant called the Top Of The Hub and an large 360 deegree observatory.

Prudential Tower:

Location
Located on a 23 acre site between Boylston Street and Huntington Avenue in the heart of Back Bay, adjacent to Hynes Convention Center, major hotels, shopping and residential areas, a 2.2 million square foot office and retail complex having convenient (direct) access to the Massachusetts Turnpike and on-site rapid transit service on the Green Line of the MBTA. The Prudential Center is the largest mixed-use development in New England.

Description
This Class-A office tower has 52 stories and shares a multi-level retail complex of 465,239 square feet, and 3,028 underground parking spaces with the other buildings in the Prudential Center.

Year Built
Prudential Tower developed in 1965. Systems renovated in 1983-1986. Acquired by the Company in 1998.

Size
1,175,431 rentable square feet

Major Tenant(s)
Gillette Company
Digitas
MCI Telecommunications Corp.

http://www.prudentialcenter.com/

4/10

If only the cladding was as high-quality as the lobby...

Childs Bertman & Tectskry just renavated the whole inside of the tower. Thats why the lobby looks new.

The lobby ovbviously upgraded since it had been built. Prudential's showing its age re: mid-60s. Was probably reaaaaaallllllly great and new back then, but now..........hmmmmm. Holding up now but won't continue to age well.

A "being kind" 6.

Bib 'n Bub in Sarajevo (Unis Towers). No comparsion, just the form is similar:

...........................http://monarch.gsu.edu/jcrampton/bosnia/pictures/towers.jpg

Bleh, 6.5/10.

below 3

sorry, but I don't like it

Certainly has not aged well, but looks good on the skyline.

6/10

Surely one of the great mistakes in Boston's history of highrises. I would be shocked to learn that this building didn't help to contribute to the lowly opinion that many Boston NIMBYs have of highrises.

4.10... Only because I actually like the staggered spandrels on the facade.

:puke: -2/10

Recladding is required here

The rank is really #146

6/10

wat a huge box ..........4/10

yuk i hate it! unrated

boring. 4.5/10

I've been inside this building before. The inside is ok. The building itself is connected to a indoor shopping area which is also connected to a hotel. I agree that it needs to be reclad. The outside is just plain ugly.

5.5/10

no i dont like this one, 3.5/10

Ugly, 6.

The building looks ugly
4/10

I think that it was a pretty sharp tower for its time. When I think of the 60's and highrise architecture, I grimace. But this tower is one of the few that stands out as still being tolerable to look at. While the Brutalist movement was thankfully shortlived and generally regrettable, it did produce some variants like The Pru that were successes. Just remember folks, this building is almost 40 years old. Most things tend to look pretty "dorky" when they're that age. So this building isn't doing too bad.

6.5/10

4/10 Yes, it's definitely from the 60's. Looks like it hasn't had a renovation since.

Just too boring,boxy....almost makes me vonmit ;)
4.5/10

1/10 One of the ugliest buildings of all time... what an eyesore! Plain and brutal

7/10

Simply boxy!

5/10

a good old nice box. 7.0/10

Hmm...Im more of the opinion it looks horrible from far...but charmingly new from up close. So I give it a slightly grade for boxes...4.5. :)

this is just ugly. the top is even worse. :puke:

4/10

Originally posted by Jasonhouse

I think that it was a pretty sharp tower for its time. When I think of the 60's and highrise architecture, I grimace. But this tower is one of the few that stands out as still being tolerable to look at. While the Brutalist movement was thankfully shortlived and generally regrettable, it did produce some variants like The Pru that were successes. Just remember folks, this building is almost 40 years old. Most things tend to look pretty "dorky" when they're that age. So this building isn't doing too bad.

6.5/10

I agree with this 100% It's good inside, it's good from a distance, and it's very good at night. It's ugly...but in a unique way - I admire that kind of ugliness. Swiss Re isn't ugly in my book, it's just bad. As for the Pru's "boxiness" - does any building in the world have a top like that? I think its peak negates much of its boxiness.

The facade is blah!! 5.5/10

brutal 1/10

6/10

i dont like it either, but the fact that its quite old tells why it doesnt look that good...4/10

facade: one word: cool
form: just a box
points: 7.5

There are problems with this building but it is beginning to age well. Sure it's a modernist box, but it will be a classic in a hundred years.

That sign looks great.

8/10

It's well lit and actually quite impressive at night. It's like a shaggy old dog in the daytime, not beautiful, but a familiar old friend, you like it anyway.

It's size and height make it more than a 5, probably a 6.5.

hideous
reminds me of a beta vcr

6/10

Maybe...if they can do more to reintegrate the surrounding "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" moonscape (aka: "Plaza").

BUT! YIKES!!! In the first photos what is that horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible building just to the left of the Pru? It looks like a couple of crappy Atlanta highrises on steriods.

:puke:

5/10 - and maybe I should have gone lower *YAWN* Another dull box, with nothing really to recommend it except that it does have some height and presence.

Somehow, the facade doesn't work at all, though I appreciate the apparent effort to make it less monotonous. The top section doesn't do anything for the roof, nor do the antennas. I don't even like the lobby - and Muse, you are soo right when you say it won't age well!

All in all, an example of banal 60s design....

Get rid of the lettering and you're left with a building that can be appreciated as an unspoiled typical sixties building which also has an almost cult-like attractiveness.

8/10

7/10


It looks ok

Originally posted by Muse

The lobby ovbviously upgraded since it had been built. Prudential's showing its age re: mid-60s. Was probably reaaaaaallllllly great and new back then, but now..........hmmmmm. Holding up now but won't continue to age well.

A "being kind" 6.

Bib 'n Bub in Sarajevo (Unis Towers). No comparsion, just the form is similar:

...........................http://monarch.gsu.edu/jcrampton/bosnia/pictures/towers.jpg

Yea, Prudential shape are almost similar with Sarajevo Unis Towers constructed in the early 80s and recounstructed in the 2000 but glass on the tower I like more on the UNIS towers and maybe it is good idea for the Prudential to put same glass like on the UNIS Towers in the Sarajevo if they have plan to reconstruct that tower.


http://clubs.sarajevo-x.com/data/slike/slika_663_665.jpg http://clubs.sarajevo-x.com/data/slike/slika_663_712.jpg

Maybe...if they can do more to reintegrate the surrounding "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" moonscape (aka: "Plaza").

BUT! YIKES!!! In the first photos what is that horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible building just to the left of the Pru? It looks like a couple of crappy Atlanta highrises on steriods.

:puke:
I don't understand what is so crappy and low quality about Atlanta's highrises, why do you think they are?

I'll admit that this building isn't that good looking, but it sure does give a good impact on Boston's skyline. 8/10

i like the facade design and the window arrangement, so the building's ok overall, but they should kill the antennas. they make the building look too crude, and relocate it to shinjuku, tokyo, where it can be with its own kind. boston's just not the place for it.

7/10

5.5

3/10

Horrible!!!! Facade needs to be changed into white rock with blue horizontal windows.

I like it okay...I say 7

7/10

I kind of like it but it bothers me a little. 5/10

It's alright.

7/10

6/10

8/10 Having seen it in person countless times, I must say that I like its style and it's impact on the back bay skyline. And come on, tallest building outside out NYC when it was built, it needs more credit for that. :-)

http://www.geocities.com/prudentialphotos/20030826/RIMG1739.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/prudentialphotos/20030826/RIMG1740.jpg

The view is quite nice from up there, though :
http://www.geocities.com/prudentialphotos/20030828/RIMG2417.jpg

8/10

looks old but i m a fan of boston . 8/10

7/10

Not bad. Definitely needs a reclad though.

The top reminds me of 20 Fenchurch Street (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=129203) in the City of London.

7/10

It's better than nothing. 7.0

UGLY, however i like 111 Huntington which was recently completed right next to it and the shopping complex is nice as well.

4/10

6/10

I like it especially at night next to 111 Huntington Avenue. 8/10

7/10.

The best damn building in Boston. Far surpasses John Hancock Tower in my book. I give it an 8.5/10. :)

It's shocking dropped like that behind the lowrises at the riverfront !
Those people living down there must feel like they have a monster in their backyard ^^ No wonder they become NIMBYs after such an experience ^^
The cladding is a nice try, so that will be a 2.5 instead of 2, but huh... It makes no difference at this point, right ?

7.5/10

4.

3 or less

the facade has a terrible design ad I hate that top.This tower needs a recladding urgently.:runaway:

looks nice at night...when u can't actually see it!:D too boxy! the views from the top are awesome though...mainly because u can't see it! :) 7/10

Old and boxy- 4/10

6/10

8/10

Don't like it, 6/10

5/10

7/10

This box looks really bad. Needs recladding ;) 5/10

4/10

5/10

its boxy! but tall
7

Honestly, I can't picture anything else in it's place in the Boston skyline. This is a very tough looking tower that demands respect. 10/10.

5.5/10

Ugly. 4.5/10

6/10

4/10

7/10

4/10

i don't like the top and the facade 4.5/10

4.5/10 Sorry. :okay:

6/10

I spent a lot of time in Boston and grew to love the big 2. The only two major highrises Boston has this and John Hancock. So i can't hate it. Its family. But looking objectionably at it, it has not aged well. It looks very dated. About the most dated 700ft + skyscraper there is if you think about it. Not a good sign. But Boston refuses to build taller ones, it too has a soft spot for the big 2. Objectionally and painfully I give it a 4.5/10

I like this tower way better than the John Hankock Tower. The last floor looks very interesting. 8/10

4/10

5.5/10.

5/10.

3,5/10

I rated it high..only because it reminds of the Red Sox..

7/10

7/10

a box with a spire.....7.5/10

3.5/10

it's just too messy at the top.

7/10

Screw this poll! That pic is lousy. The Pru is tops from the sixties, still looks great. 9/10.

5/10

dont like it at all 4/10

6/10

it's a 60's building and i don't like any 60 or 70's building, and this one isn't an exception.

7/10

6/10.

Unoriginal 4.5/10

6. :ohno:

6.5/10 it's alright

7/10

Yuk.

4.5/10

What is the designer thinking?

7/10.

Nah i hate it. 4 out of 10.

7/10

7/10 the same rate

7/10

boxy 5/10

6/10

6/10

7/10

5,5/10

4/10

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/cojapo/81440017.jpg

It's height alone (750') is probably worth a 7. It's dated but was a good building in its time. After 40 years it looks good (especially at night) and is sort of an old friend. Somehow I think many who give this building a 5 or less would love to have it in their city just to have a skraper that's really tall from that era.

It's hard to imagine the skyline without it. With the John Hancock Tower right down the street, it breaks up the monotony of the downtown skyline. Not pretty, but definitely special, especially when it is lit up "Go Sox" at night!

7/10

Pru and surroundings with go SOX. Not my pic.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i52/castevens12/DSC_3948.jpg

Nice for a boxy thing. 7/10

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/cojapo/Picture105.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/cojapo/Picture103.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/cojapo/Picture093.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/cojapo/Picture061.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/cojapo/Picture058.jpg

8/10 I like it :yes:

4,5/10

6/10

The building looks ugly,bore/

6.5

3/10

It's ok.

8/10

average architecture, but good height. 7,5

5/10

7/10:)

6 .

7/10

5/10

8/10

6.5 - Hasn't aged well at all

6/10

7/10

8,5/10

4/10...good proportions...but thats it!

7.5/10

9/10

8/10

5/10

5.0/10

Looks its age.
6/10

3/10. I've been to Boston and I must say that's a shame it spoils the nice in overall skyline.

5.5/10

6/10

7.5/10

6,5 / 10. Ugly building, Boston deserves better!

6/10

The top brings it way down

7. Regards.

8.5 I couldn't imagine this beast anywhere else than Boston, but the Pru is a real landmark here. Tallest building outside NYC when built in 1964, and still a very powerful presence on the skyline as Boston's 2nd tallest.

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Misc%20Boston%20Pics/IMG_1111.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Boston%20From%20Hancock%2012-26-08/IMG_0292.jpg

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Misc%20Boston%20Pics/IMG_0545.jpg

and forming a nice bookend on the Back Bay skyline with the Hancock

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/DZH22/Misc%20Boston%20Pics/IMG_0337.jpg

6/10

6/10

7/10

Iconic american skyscraper due to its mannered modernism and period styling. It screams 1964. 7

6.5/10

6/10

7.5

voted 6/10

6/10

7/10

5/10

Ugly but tall.

6/10

7/10

I don't like the roof. Other than that, it's a nice box. 5/10

without the top: 8.5
with the top: 7.0

too bad!

7/10

7/10

7/10

6/10

6.5/10..a bit too boxy and boring..

7/10

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/6134/2607248829acc6c7457cz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/2607248829acc6c7457cz.jpg/)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/705/prudentialcenter.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/prudentialcenter.jpg/)


http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8797/prudentialskywalk2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/prudentialskywalk2.jpg/)

8/10

6,5/10

6/10

8/10

7/10

5/10!

6/10

5.

6/10

http://www.cambridge2000.com/gallery/images/P32519478e.jpg
Meh.
5/10

10/10

10/10

9.5/10. I like.

10/10