| Height | 495 feet |
|---|---|
| Floors | 26 |
| Year | 1947 |
| Architects |
About Berkeley Building
The Berkeley Building (also known as the Old John Hancock Building) is a 36-story, 495-foot (151 m) structure located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It is the second of the three John Hancock buildings built in Boston; it was succeeded by the John Hancock Tower. The building is known for the weather beacon at its summit, which broadcasts light patterns as weather forecasts. The Berkeley Building is the 18th-tallest building in the city. The building, located in Boston's Back Bay, was designed by Cram and Ferguson and completed in 1947. From 1947 until 1964 it was the second-tallest building in the city, one foot (30 cm) shorter than the 496-foot (151 m) Custom House Tower, but a much larger building and a conspicuous landmark. The Prudential Tower, completed in 1964, dwarfed both. As of 2004 a dozen buildings are taller, yet it remains a handsome and easily recognized Boston landmark, familiar to commuters crossing the Charles River. A drawing of this building served as a logo for the John Hancock Insurance company for many years. In March 2003, the John Hancock Insurance company sold the Berkeley Building, along with the Stephen L.