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Richards Block

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1858, Edward C. Cabot. 114 State St.
  • Richards Block (Peter Vanderwarker or Antonina Smith)

Most of the commercial buildings constructed with cast-iron facades were built prior to the Great Boston Fire of 1872, at which time many were destroyed. The Richards Block provides one of the oldest surviving examples of a cast-iron facade. Constructed in 1858 for the Shaw Estate, it was designed by Edward C. Cabot. As originally constructed, the building was five stories with a small mansard roof. An additional two stories with projecting rectangular corner turrets were added about 1889 by Calvin Richards. Despite the additional floors, the original arcaded facade, which utilizes a mixture of single and paired columns, survives. Smith and Felton manufactured the cast iron in East Boston. From 1870 to 1873, the building served as the headquarters for Atlantic Boiler Company of East Boston (EB8).

Adjoining this structure at 116 State Street is the Cunard Building (NRD). Designed in 1902 by Peabody and Stearns, this structure is important primarily for its historical associations with the famous shipping line.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Keith N. Morgan
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Data

What's Nearby

Oakwood Apartments (Board of Trade Building)
75 State Street
Quincy Market
Marriott's Custom House (U.S. Custom House)
Stock Exchange Building and Exchange Place

Citation

Keith N. Morgan, "Richards Block", [Boston, Massachusetts], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MA-01-GC6.

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, 49-49.

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