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Metropolitan Boston » Core Boston » Waterfront » East and West Commercial Wharf

East and West Commercial Wharf

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1832–1833, Isaiah Rogers; 1968–1969 east section renovation, Halasz and Halasz; 1971 west section renovation, Anderson, Notter + Finegold. 84 Atlantic Ave.
  • (Photograph by Matthew Aungst)
  • East and West Commercial Wharf (Peter Vanderwarker or Antonina Smith)

Today's Commercial Wharf originally extended from the inner harbor to Commercial Avenue until it was divided in 1868–1869 for the construction of Atlantic Avenue, at which time the mansard roof was added to the East Commercial Wharf. The strong facades of Quincy granite in the Greek Revival style are marked by variety in the use of masonry, rough-faced block for the basic structure to drafted stone for the window frames and cornice. Better known for the granite Tremont House (1827), the nation's and Boston's first hotel, Isaiah Rogers used brick and granite for the less public north facades of both sections. The conversions of the East and West Commercial Wharf to housing in the late 1960s and early 1970s added new entrances, windows, and balconies but maintained the general character of these former warehouse buildings.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Keith N. Morgan
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Data

What's Nearby

One Lewis Wharf
Lewis Wharf
Prince Building (Prince Macaroni Company)
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Mercantile Wharf and Commercial Block

Citation

Keith N. Morgan, "East and West Commercial Wharf", [Boston, Massachusetts], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MA-01-WF11.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of Massachusetts

Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, Keith N. Morgan, with Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed, and contributors. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009, 80-81.

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