Nomination for Publicity Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service RECENLO 2780 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form JJUL - 82003 MMTTRREGISTER OF HISTOSCLACES This form is for use in nominatina or reauestina determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions iAMTMONAL PARK SERVN Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "X in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a).

Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name Publicity Building other names/site number. 2. Location street & number. 40-44 Bromfield Street - - not for publication city or town_ Boston - vicinity state Massachusetts code_MA county Suffolk _ code_025 _ zip code _02210 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this E nomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property 2 meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria.

I recommend that this property be considered significant Dpationally O statewide hocally. ( See continuation sheetfor additionah comments.) Betey Fredherg, National Register Director, for 7/3/03 Signature of certifying official/Title Cara H. Metz, State Historic Preservation Officer Date Massachusetts Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. (O See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification I, hereby certify that this property is Vl entered in the National Register - See continuation sheet ] determined eligible for the NationalRegister - See continuation sheet.

- determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): Date of Actio 8/20/2003 Publicity Building Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) xprivate - public-local - public-State - public-Federal Suffolk, MA County and State (Check only one box) x building(s) -district _ site _ structure - object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 1 building sites _ structures objects Total Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) n/a 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) _Commercial/office building 1 Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Commercial/office building Z. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Early 20" Century/Pier and Spandrel Commercial Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation_Pier and Spandrel/lron and Concrete walls Yellow Brick and Limestone roof other Asphalt with Metal-Clad penthouse 2 story Cast Iron storefront Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Publicity Building Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for thecriteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) xA Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. -B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. XC Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. -D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) Property is: _A owned by religious institution or used for religious purposes. _ B removed from its original location.

_C a birthplace or grave. _ D a cemetery. -E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. _F a commemorative property. -G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) _Suffolk, MA County and State Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Architecture Commerce Period of Significance 1916-1953 Significant Dates 1916 Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) N/A Cultural Affiliation N/a Architect/Builder Arthur H. Bowditch 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): HPCA# 8062 Primary location of additional data: - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 x State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested - Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register - Federal agency - previously determined eligible by the National - Local government Register - University - designated a National Historic Landmark _ Other - recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: # _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record #. NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 - National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Publicity Building/ 40-44 Bromfield Street Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number 7 Page_1 7. DESCRIPTION The Publicity Building, erected on the site of the former Bromfield Methodist Church, sits on the south side of Bromfield Street at nos. 40-44, at the corner of Bromfield and Wesleyan Place, a small alley that allows access to the rear of this and adjacent buildings. The building is flanked on the south elevation by Wesleyan Place and on the north by the recently-constructed Suffolk University Law School. An intact example of early 20# century pier and spandrel commercial style architecture, the Publicity Building exhibits detailing consistent with the Beaux-Arts style of architecture and features a cast iron storefront, which remains largely intact.

The front façade of the five-bay structure consists of a two-story cast iron storefront, topped with a six-story shaft of six continuous yellow-brick piers and limestone spandrels. The center four piers terminate above the eighth floor with medallions decorated with lion heads topped by a galvanized-iron modillion cornice. The building terminates with a seamed metal-clad rooftop penthouse. As shown in the original plans, the street level of the front façade consists of three stores, each with its own street entrance. In addition, there is an entrance that leads to a small lobby containing a bank of two elevators and stairs for access to the upper floors. The original configuration of the storefronts and their large plate-glass windows remain, as do some of the original green marble panels that trimmed the storefronts, the lobby entrance entablature, and the original entrance doors.

The upper panels of these large wooden doors are ornamented with a classical circular motif trimmed with a fruit-laden garland. Also extant are portions of the beveled six-by-six inch leaded glass transom panels above the largest and centrally located store. The transoms above the other two stores (identified in the original plans as "prismatic glass") have been painted over, in-filled, or obscured by awnings and signage. The original transom does exist on the corner bay of the Wesleyan Place elevation. The fenestration on the remainder of this façade consists of the original wood window sash. On the second floor, each bay has a combination of a central fixed panel of plate glass flanked by single pane casements on each side, topped with a transom composed of four, six-pane fixed panels.

The windows on the upper stories of the main façade are sets of three one-over-one windows, one per bay, flanked by a brick pier. (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 - National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Publicity Building/ 40-44 Bromfield Street Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number 7 Page_ 2 The side elevation, facing Wesleyan Place, is also five bays wide. The corner bay, where it meets the cast iron storefront, is faced in the same yellow brick and limestone as the front façade, while the remainder of the alley façade uses just yellow brick. The original storefront windows at the street level of this corner bay have long been covered over; however, the original wood windows on the upper floors of the storefront bay are still extant.

The remainder of the fenestration on this secondary façade consists primarily of pairs (one per bay) of one-over-one modern aluminum replacement sash, with smaller single windows located in the stairway bay. The rear façade of the building is also faced in yellow brick identical to the Wesleyan Place (alley) façade. Incorporated on this façade is a twelve-foot one-story roofed structure at the first level. This first-story structure originally had three large rectangular skylights located along the center of its roof. The outline of these skylights still exist; however they have been sealed off on both the interior and exterior. The fenestration consists primarily of pairs of one-over-one windows on the majority of the façade, except for sets of triple one-over-one windows in the center bay. There are no windows on the first floor, which houses the boiler room.

Above the second floor, the center bay is recessed to create a light shaft. This light shaft allows natural light Functionally, the building is used much as it was when it was newly constructed and continues to serve a variety of commercial and office tenants. The first floor serves as retail space and the upper seven floors as office space. The original plans for the second floor show that it was originally laid out as one large space, perhaps designed for the use of a single tenant. By 1938, the larger second floor space was subdivided to house the offices of the Suffolk Co-operative Bank and at least five other businesses. According to the original plans, the third floor also appears to have been designed for one tenant, without any interior walls. By 1928, five businesses were located on this floor.

Fours 4 through 8 were originally divided into smaller offices, obviously for use by numerous tenants. The penthouse, which retains some of its paneled-wood walls, was designed and occupied by Arthur H. Bowditch, the architect of the Publicity Building. The architect vacated his offices sometime before 1938. Some changes have been made in recent decades to the original U-shaped interior plan to accommodate tenants. Floors 3 through 8 were laid out with a U-shaped corridor that wraps around the light shaft, with offices laid out on either side of the corridor. This original U-shaped plan has survived only on floors 3 and 4, and in part on floor 6.

The interior finishes on floors 3 and 4 are largely intact; (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7/8 Page_3/1 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 - Publicity Building/ 40-44 Bromfield Street Boston (Suffolk), MA however, the architectural character of the 6"' floor has been compromised with the removal and replacement of all woodwork, doors, and glass transoms and installation of new drywall and metal doors. On each floor, adjacent to the two elevators on the side wall of the main public corridor are the bathrooms and a staircase. An additional staircase exists on the opposite side wall at the other end of the corridor. Both staircases are painted cast metal with decorative metal balustrade and wood handrail. (end) 8.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Publicity Building is located in a section Boston's Central Business District known as the Ladder Blocks. This area, bounded by Court, Washington, Tremont, and West streets, is comprised of small connective blocks which link the Boston Common, Government Center and the retailing district of Washington, Summer, and Winter streets. The plan of cross streets between Tremont Street and Washington Street, similar to the rungs of a ladder, was systematically formed on the basis of English precedent from the early settlement of Boston and has not been severely altered. Bromfield Street is considered a transitional street that links the municipal concentration of the Ladder Blocks area to the more commercial section to the east toward Court Street.

The heavy concentration of historic buildings and sites in the section of the Ladder Blocks between Bromfield and Court streets reflects the history of Boston's municipal and religious life from the earliest settlement, including: King's Chapel and the Old City Hall (both NHL), the Granary Burying Ground and its Gates (a local historic district and NR-listed). Adjacent historic resources, namely St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, the Old State House, Old South Meeting House (all NHLs); and the Park Street Church (NR-listed) border this area. The Old Corner Book Store (a Massachusetts Historic landmark), located at the corner of Washington and School streets is a unique example of 18"h century domestic architecture. (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-8 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Publicity Building/ 40-44 Bromfield Street Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number 8 Page 2 The section of the Ladder Blocks between Bromfield and West streets contain a rich variety of mid-19" century and larger early 20* century commercial buildings. Although these buildings differ in texture, style, and massing, similarities are found in height, set back, and relative scale. The buildings, altered mainly on the ground floors, represent the gradual shift in land use that occurred during the later part of the 19t* century, particularly after the fire of 1872, as retailing activities, previously concentrated on Washington Street, spread to the side streets toward the Boston Common.

Since the last half of the 19 century, the area has been the center for the city's dry goods and clothing trade, and many buildings once housed leading department and specialty The Great Fire of November 9-10, 1872, destroyed 65 acres and 776 buildings in the heart of the city. The portion of the Ladder Blocks were the Publicity Building is located, also referred to as the pre-fire mercantile district, was relatively untouched by the fire. For this reason the district includes early 19" century brick residential buildings and mid-9'* century granite commercial buildings along with turn-of-the-century and later structures designed in a variety of styles and materials. Designed by Arthur H. Bowditch, the Publicity Building opened in 1916 for mixed retail and commercial use.

Early tenants of the building included publishers, advertising companies, jewelers, bankers, and architects, including Bowditch himself, who maintained an office in the ninth floor penthouse well into the 1930s. Reportedly, the name "Publicity Building" was coined soon after the official opening of the building due to the concentration of publishers, publicists, newspapers, advertisers, and illustrators that occupied the building during its early years. Retail buildings, such as the Publicity Building, constructed in the late-19t and early 20th centuries often adopted a format that was designed to satisfy contemporary sales needs and techniques. Large plate glass windows were desired to provide the maximum natural interior light and could be used for display of merchandise on lower floors.

For this reason, retail buildings were often constructed using a pier and spandrel system characterized by narrow vertical piers and decorative horizontal metal, store, or terra cotta spandrels. Often, Gothic and Classical motifs were used as ornament. The turn of the century brought not only changes in building scale and construction methods, but also in the variety of available building materials. In addition to the traditional red brick and (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-8 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 - National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Publicity Building/ 40-44 Bromfield Street Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number 8 Page 3 stone, glazed terra cotta came into use for decorative accents or sometimes for entire facades.

"Cast stone," a Portland cement that could be molded and tinted to imitate any given type of stone, also became available, along with a wider variety of brick colors and textures. The Publicity Building is an excellent representative example of the early "high-rise" buildings located in the National Register-eligible "Pre-Fire Mercantile District" of Boston. It is also a good example of the typical brick pier and spandrel construction and terra cotta ornamentation that Arthur Bowditch favored in the construction of his buildings. What does not appear to be typical, however, is the "post-fire" use of the cast iron storefront. Many examples were constructed before the fire, but proved not to be fireproof and the use of cast iron storefront went out of fashion.

The Boston Landmarks Commission has determined that the Publicity Building is eligible for the individual listing on the Nation Register of Historic Places. (end) Publicity Building Name of Property Suffolk, MA County, State 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property less than one UTM References See continuation sheet. (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1. 19 330220 4691200 Zone Easting Northing 2. Zone Easting Northing 3. Zone Easting Northing 4. Zone Easting _ See continuation sheet Northing Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By name/title. Karen Andrews Parker, Epsilon Associates Inc. with Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization Massachusetts Historical Commission .

date _ June 2003 street & number_220 Morrissey Boulevard _ telephone _ 617-727-8470 city or town Boston _ state_MA _ zip code_ 02125 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets Maps A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property. Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) name Steven A. Cohen, President, CEA Group, Inc.

street & number 1105 Massachusetts Avenue Suite 2F _ telephone 617-576-6500 city or townCambridge state MA _ zip code 02138 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.0. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. NPS Form 1 10-900-8 (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Publicity Building/ 40-44 Bromfield Street Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number 9/10 Page 1 9.BIBLIOGRAPHY Campbell, Robert and Peter Vanderwarker. Cityscapes of Boston: An American City Through Time. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992. PUBLIC DOCUMENTS Boston Landmarks Commission. Building information form for 40-44 Bromfield Street. : Central Business District (CBD) Preservation Study, 1980.

Reevaluation of the 1980 Central Business District Study, 1989. Boston Public Library, Fine Arts Department. "Architects File and Boston Buildings A-Z File." City of Boston. Assessors Records and Building Permit Records. . Boston City Directories. Brookline Historical Commission. Bowditch file. Massachusetts Historical Commission. MACRIS Index, Boston Maker Index, and Boston Inventory forms. (end) GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Verbal Boundary Description The boundaries for the Publicity Building are shown as Parcel #4760 on the City of Boston Assessors Map for Ward 3079, Blocks 282, 283, 283A, 284, 284A, and 284B. The parcel sits on the south side of Bromfield Street at the corner of Bromfield and Wesleyan Place. The Suffolk University School of Law forms the northern boundary. Boundary Justification The boundaries arethose historically associated with the property since its construction in 1916.

(end) INITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOI JATIONAL PARK SERVICI NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Publicity Building NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Suffolk DATE RECEIVED: 7/08/03 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 8/08/03 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: DATE OF PENDING LIST: 7/23/03 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 8/22/03 REFERENCE NUMBER: 03000781 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N OTHER: PDIL: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT DATE ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM.

/CRITERIA Gurept AçC - REVIEWER Patuick Andus - DISCIPLINE Histarian TELEPHONE DATE 8/20/03 DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N The Watch Hospital SHERMAN'S SALON MARÉ 44 BROMFIELD 44 Bromfiold 10ld S PUBLICITY BUILDING 40-44 BROMFIELO ST. BOSTON (SUrFOLK) MA new facing N po photo #1 yepo odak SHERMAN'S MARÉ 44 BROMFIELD ilvertone Tle PuBUCITY BuILDING Y0-44 BRONFIELD ST. BOSTON (SUFFOLK) MA niw facings xepox ploto #2 The Watch Hospital The Wiateha Trepital THERMAN'S DPEN SALON MARÉ 44 BROMFIELD TMEX MEX MEX Watches EX Watches 4 Authorired SALES AND SERVICE AND SERVICE EbN RMAN'S PuBLICiTy BURDING 40-44 BrOMFIELO ST. BOSTON (SUFFOLK) MA niw facing N (detail) photo #3 xepox 42 ABROMET 1 Brom yeld ff PUBUCITY BUILDING 40-44 BROMFIELD ST.

BOSTON (SUFFOLK) MA detail entrance doar photo # 4 yepo) The Watch Hospital SHERMAN'S SALON MARÉ 44 BROMFIELD PUBLICITY BLDG. BOSTON (SUFFOLK) MA photographe KAREN PARKER Z002 pluto #1 niw looking N towards Tremout St. 028 AI The Watch Hospital SHERMA PUBLICITY BUILDING BOSTON (SUFFOLK) MA photographer KAREN PARICER 2002 1 photo #2 Ist floor, looking S Spo? SN yepo : SALON MARÉ 44 BROMFIEL PREFERRED MECHANICAL -875-COLD PUBLICITY BLDG. BOSTON (SUFFOLK) MA photographe KAREN PARKER 2.002 pluto #3 Neutrance niw looking W BUhi 35812654781420 N C xepox The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission July 2, 2003 Ms. Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 1201 Eye Street, NW (8"h floor) Washington, DC 20005 Dear Ms.

Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination form: Publicity Building, 40-44 Bromfield Street, Boston, (Suffolk), MA The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. State Historic Preservation Officer. The owners of the properties in the Certified Local Government community of Boston were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 60 to 90 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, Betsy treeakey Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure CC: Boston Landmarks Commission Karen A. Parker, Epsilon Associates, Preservation Consultant Hon. Thomas Menino, Mayor, City of Boston David Payne, CLG Coordinator, Boston Landmarks Commission Steven A. Cohen, CEA Group, Inc.

220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 (617) 727-8470 - Fax: (617) 727-5128 www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc