Walk in Boston # 1, the forgotten West End, is a self-guided 2.5 miles tour to see what urban renewal meant in the 1950’s. If you like 20th century architecture, this walk will introduce you to many different examples of it, as well as to older buildings.
It is now only available on Payhip in pdf format with a clickable map and updated descriptions.
In this pdf you will also find:
- the list of Highlights.
- the Metro stops to get there and back and infos for Cars.
- tips about restrooms, places to sit and eat.
- details about a particular place you will find on your route.
You can download it (or just the map of the walk) to your phone to help you in your discoveries.
This will then allow you to live a unique experience of the city far from what you might find elsewhere.
If you purchased the Boston NYC book, this download will be free for you, just send me a note for an access code for this walk if you don’t have it already.
The description below, incomplete and with cropped photos, gives you an idea of this walk before you decide to buy it.
A: Your walk starts at … Many different people to look at if you like that; take a seat and be discreet!
You’ll also find shops, restaurants, a supermarket, a movie theater and a venue/nightclub for concerts.
B: Once you step out of …: it’s an historical neighborhood featuring architecture by …, a 19th century Bostonian representative of the Federal style. The… is about all what’s left of the original West End neighborhood.
If you came with the T. and went out directly on the streets there, you are already …
Try to find some buildings.. simple line, ornaments over the windows, colons, balanced facades.
C: Then go to …. to find another era and another style when walking along the …
Built mainly of pink granite in 1986, it replaces the … where performers and sport teams used to stay. If you go inside, you’ll see two sculptures, Jane Kaufman’s “Crystal Hanging” and Mary Miss “Cascading Wall Fountain”
In front of it, …, another interesting building with a gigantic porch opening to an inside courtyard. Built in 2007, it’s a private residence so you’ll only have a look from outside.
D: Stay on …. Actually closed following flooding, when it’s open, it tells you how the neighborhood was until the 1950’s, when the city of Boston decided to level the area and built residential high rises.
The … are old residents of the West End so do the math, they won’t be around forever to describe what happened, and how great the place was.
In front …, you’ll see … flanked by enormous ads and wonder how it survived the demolition. It allows you to imagine a whole neighborhood in that style with narrow overcrowded streets. On the same side, an epitaph summarizing what people living there thought about the place: “The greatest neighborhood this side of Heaven”.
Then … find a passageway toward …
E: It’s not sure … would have agreed to have his name here, in the middle of these apartments’ buildings but in any case, and like him if he was still around, you will now have to decide if the new was worth the destruction of the old!
F: Then keep going on your left to find another survivor of the old West End, …
G: Once on …., turn right to go and see … at the corner … It’s a nice Federal style structure inside and outside, built in 1806. It played a role in the American Revolution and the expression “no taxation without representation” was coined there.
H: You have already seen it along your trek, but now it’s a good time to have a closer look at it: …, coming straight from a sci-fi movie, was built by Rudolph in 1971. It’s on … unmistakable with its signature concrete, its Brutalist style, its curves and points. It also looks like a modern Baroque castle in need of a lot of repairs. Part of the Boston Government Center, it houses social services. In the movie “The Departed” , it was a police headquarter.
A big metallic sculpture hangs from one of its outdoor ceiling; you’ll see it if you go to the plaza.
On the other side of this plaza, another imposing and fierce structure: …Designed by KMW Architecture to be the flagship of …built by the state, it was completed in 1999.
On your way out, do not miss the sculpture in front of the post office ….
I: You are now heading toward the… by way of …. to admire two facades: one contemporary at a building called…, the other Art Deco at the old New England Telephone and Telegraph Company.
At …., turn right to see … and its sculptures. Then you’ll enter ….
It’s a very unusual plaza with the impressive …. on the right, built in 1885 in a early stage of Classical Revival style, and the nonetheless impressive … on the left, typical of the 1960’s era building with its concrete structure.
If you can, enter … worth a look for its high rounded ceiling, marble stairs, and solemn paneled …. You’ll also find two permanent exhibitions, one about John Adams, and the other about the Sacco and Vanzetti case.
Then go through.. to reach …
J: On your left,… another example of 1960s Modern architecture. It was designed by Gropius and Glaser, with a Dmitri Hadzi sculpture in front of it, inspired by president Kennedy “Profiles in Courage” book. There are two more artworks inside, and revolving exhibitions about president Kennedy; yet it’s still a Federal building, not a museum, so don’t expect top-notch displays.
Your last stop, … is another example of Brutalist architecture. It has been called one of the country ugliest buildings, and one of the ten proudest achievement of American architecture. Take your pick according to your taste. The interior mirrors the exterior, and is home to three small galleries. They will give you an excuse to go and have a look inside if you want.
This will mark the end of your West End walk.
If you are still in the mood to walk, Walk in Boston # 2, the other North End, ends here so you could take it in reverse. Or you can take Walk in Boston # 14, the touristic waterfront, it starts here.
Convinced that this walk will be exceptional? Find it on Payhip.