A Shaky Past
The first “layer” of history of this tower as a palimpsest is its early beginnings, which just so happened to be wrought with many issues. As the tower began its construction, it faced years of controversy, confusion, and turmoil. To begin, its relationship with the Boston Trinity Church, which stands adjacent to it, was a rocky one. Apparently its construction had damaged the church’s exterior, which ended up in a lawsuit that was settled for $11.2 million, according to the Boston Globe. There were also reconstructions after talks that the tower might eclipse the Church, which many were against.
Then, a rumor followed suit that claimed that the tower was sinking, but was quickly dismissed by the designers and representatives of the tower.
The biggest blow to its reputation, however, occurred right as the building neared completion. Although its idea had originally been birthed with a promise of unparalleled grandeur, it very quickly became known for something very different: fatal (quite literally!) engineering flaws that made its 500-pound glass windows pop out during high wind. This was eventually linked to the window’s design, and as such, every glass windowpane was recalled and replaced—bearing a hefty financial burden of an additional $100 million.
And finally, just as the tower was nearing completion, an additional source of plight came right along: it was found that it swayed with high winds, which then caused some more architectural reimagining from the inside.
Finally, after years of trials and tribulations in its conception, the John Hancock Tower opened in 1976, and quickly became a favorite for locals and architecture buffs alike. The tower was designed by the locally well-respected architecture I.M. Pei, who is also known for designing other Boston treasures such as the Government Center and the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, and its architectural design quickly garnered praise and accolades, including the American Institute of Architects’ National Honor Award in 1977. Thus, despite its rocky history while it was being built, it certainly ended a grand success.
This lends itself to some interesting questions: how did this rocky past upon conception lead to the tower’s initial reception? When looking at the history of urban spaces, it is important to consider their urban and popular receptions over the years, particularly as they change. Throughout my research, it became evident that despite these initial hiccups, the Tower was received with great praise and admiration from the start, as evidenced by multiple architecture awards that the design received almost immediately upon its opening. As such, the first layer of the city as a palimpsest is the idea of this rocky beginning.
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References
Logan, Tim (July 30, 2015). So, what should we call the John Hancock Tower now? The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
Dwyer, Dialynn (July 15, 2015). When they built the Hancock Tower—and it started falling apart. Boston.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.