Nomination for Russia Wharf Buildings

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries - complete applicable sections 1. Name For HCRS use only received SEP 1 0 1980 date entered DEC 2 historic RUSSIA WHARF BUILDINGS and/or common 2. Location SAME street & number 518-540 Atlantic Avenue, 270 Congress Street, 276-290 Congress Street - not for publication city, town Boston vicinity of congressional district 9th state Massachusetts 3. Classification Category Ownership district public x building(s) X private structure both site Public Acquisition object in process being considered code 025 county Suffolk code 025 Status X occupied . unoccupied X work in progress Accessible yes: restricted X yes: unrestricted .

no Present Use - agriculture X commercial educational entertainment government industrial military museum - park private residence . religious scientific transportation _ other: 4. Owner of Property name Russia Wharf Company street & number 286 Congress Street city, town Boston MA vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Suffolk County Register of Deeds street & number Pemberton Square city, town Boston state Mass. 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets of title the Commonwealth has this property been determined elegible? - yes X no date 1979 federal x state county _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state MA 7.

Description Condition X excellent x good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one X unaltered _ altered Check one X original site moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Russia Wharf Buildings are located on the eastern side of the Boston peninsula, occupy- ing the northern side of Congress Street between Atlantic Avenue and the Fort Point Channel. The Russia Wharf site was used as a wharf from the early 18th century until the last years of the 19th century, although by the end of this period it was much reduced in size and sig- nificance. The present three structureswhich make up the Russia Wharf Buildings are com- mercial/industrial buildings dating from 1897-98. The first wharf in this location appears on a 1714 map, and was depicted increasingly longer and broader through the mid-19th century. In 1872, however, the Great Boston Fire swept downtown and the whart area, completely destroying the extant Russia Wharf structures.

construction includedplans for extending Congress Street over Russia Wharf and across a new bridge connecting downtown to areas being filled in South Boston; these were accomplished by Building permits for the three structures now on the Russia Wharf site were granted in 1897, and construction was completed by the following year. This contemporaneousness is reflected in numerous common features. All of the Russia Wharf Buildings are Classical Re- vival in style, All follow one design pattern: a two story base of pier-and-spandrel construction, a middle layer of 4 identical tiers of windows, and a discrete 7th story and cornice. Lastly, all share segmentally or round-arched open- ings, and windows with flared lintels and limestone sills and keystones. The three buildings are separated by two narrow, dead-end alleys, and are described below from west to east. No.

518-540 Atlantic Avenue, the most prominent and elaborate building in the group, was de- signed by Peabody and Stearns of Boston. On the Atlantic Avenue and Congress Street sides, its first two stories are granite, topped by a band of Greek-key ornament. The upper five stories are buff-colored brick; the alley side and rear are red brick on all floors. The street side elevations of this building typically have paired, rectangular keystoned rounäheaded windows with rusticated surrounds on the 7th floor are Separated by a modi11ioned belt course. The Atlantic Avenue/Congress Street intersection is distinguished by a bevelled corner bay; its three recessed entrances are contained within Tuscan columns topped by stilted arches with heavy console keystones.

On the Atlantic Avenue elevation, an entrance pavilion rises full height from a two tory arch with banded rustication to a decorative cornice. arch is ornamented by a keystone console with cornucopia swags, and eight carved tiger heads above; the cornice contains anthemions and scrolls flanking a pineapple-topped pedestal. Other classical and mythological details abound on a smaller scale. No. 270 Congress Street (entitled the "Graphic Arts Building" was designed by the Boston firms of Rand and Taylor, and Kendall and Stevens. This building is smallest of the three, only six bays wide. The first two stories metal storefronts, with the upper stories and sides of red brick. The facade has shallow corner quoins and segmentally arched keystoned windows. The 7th floor windows are rectangular, with molded brick surrounds; they are set above.

The metal storefront unit has plain Tuscan pilasters supporting an ornamented en- tablature. A massive iron column supports the recessed corner entry, containing two class- ical doorways. The major doorway is ornamented by an exaggerated fanlight with mythological medallions in the spandrel panels. Although documentation is missing, the striking resemblance to 270 Congress Street indica- tes that 276-290 Congress Street was probably also designed by Rand & Taylor and Kendall & Stevens. No 276-290 Congress Street is a large (22 bay wide) U-shaped building.

It has FHR-8-300A (11/78) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTOR Y -- NOMINATION FORM FORHCRSUSEONLY RECEIVED SEP 1 0 1980 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE a two story metal storefront unit, with the upper stories and sides of red brick. The building's facade has shallow corner quoins and a projecting ten bay pavilion (also with corner quoins) at the center. .The storefront unit has luscan pilasters and entablature with ornamental classical moldings; its center entrance is re- cessed inside a typical storefront bay. Like 270 Congress Street, windows are segmentally arched with keystones and the 7th floor windows are rectangular with molded brick trim, set off by a limestone belt course below and a modillioned cor- nice above.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Period - prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 X 1800-1899 x 1900- Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below - archeology-prehistoric _ community planning - archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics X _architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention landscape architecture _ religion law science literature _ sculpture military - social/ music humanitarian philosophy theater politics/government transportation Urban design community derelopitent Specific dates 1898 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Peabody & Stearns, Rand & Taylor and Kendall & Stevens Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Russia Wharf buildings possess integrity of location, design, materials and work- manship and are significant as an intact trio of turn of the century commercial/indus- trial buildings in an otheiwise much altered waterfront area. The three Classical Revival buildings were constructed in 1898 for commercial use on the first two floors and light industrial use above. The largest and most notable early occupants of these buldings were related to the printing and publishing businesses, as symbolized by the "Graphic Art Building" title of #270 Congress Street itself. No.518- 540 Atlantic Avenue, the skillful facade of theunit, was designed by Peabody and Stearns, Boston's most prominent architects of the period.

Peabody and Stearns was also respon- s1ble for the tower of the Custom House and the Exchange Office Building in Boston, the city halls of Worcester and Chelsea, Machinery Hall on the grand court of the 1893 Columbian Exposition, and numerous high style residences throughout the Northeast. No. 270 Congress Street (and probably 276-290 Congress Street, whose building permit has been lost) was designed by the firms of Rand & Taylor and Kendall & Stevens. These two firms are less well known, but were quite popular in Boston around the turn of the cen- tury. The elegant classical exteriors of the units, particularly of the Peaobdy and Stearns building, indicate the importance of the functions contained within. The second half of the 19th century was Boston's most dynamic period, and one of great prosperity.

During these years, the city changed from a merchant seaport (from which time the "Russia Wharf" name survives) to an industrial metropolis, where printing and publishing were leading businesses. The Russia Wharf Buildings are a rare vestige of this stylish period in this part of the cleared and renewed waterfront area. The three Russia Wharf Buildings also represent notably intact, unitary urban design. The three buildings were constructed at one time for one owner, Boston Real Estate Trust three bus sgs (an investment company) undoubtedly a strong influence on the consistent rhythm and form of the block. Furthermore, the strong repetition of scale, materials, trim, and corner- entrance motif across the buildings shows unusual sensitivity by at least two architectural firms.

Peabody and Stearns' corner building at 518-540 Atlantic Avenue establishes the pattern of materials and decoration; it also maintains a clear relationship with the contemporary South Station one block south. The granite material, arcaded entries, Doric columns, and bevelled corner entrance of 518-540 Atlantic Avenue are sensitive re- sponses to the dynamic, curved corner entrace of South Station. No. 270 Congress Street echoes the open corner motif, while 276-90 congress Street concludes the view with an and rhythm. These satisfying relationships are ironically clarified by major alterations in the area, the linear voids of the Fitzgerald Express- way and Congress Street bridge, and the smooth reflective walls of the new Federal Res- erve Building on the block between the Russia Wharf Buildings and South Station.

Historically, the Russia Wharf site was first notable as the vicinity of the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The Wharf was subsequently headquarters for the prosperous Russian trade of merchant prince Thomas Russel1 (from 1784-1796) and of Henderson Inches (from c. 1800- 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Architects Vertical File, Boston PUblic Library, Fine ARts Division: "Rand, George Dutton," Rand & Taylor', "Kendall & Stevens." Boston City Directories, 1898, 1899, 1900. Withey, Henry F. and Withey, Elsie R. Biographical Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased). 10. Geographical Data ACREAGE NOT VERIFIET Acreage of nominated property 2.22 acres Quadrangle name Boston, South UI NOT VERIEAEL scale 1:24000 UMT References *L119/ 13/310/9001 46b0830 Zone Easting Northing LLLL LILILLL Easting Northing LILLL LILL D F Verbal boundary description and justification The property is located on the northerly side of Congress Street between Atlantic Avenue and the Fort Point Channel. It is bounded on the southwest by.

Congress Street, 579.79 ft.; on the northwest by Atlantic Ave, 185.16 ft.; on the northeast by the Boston Edison Co- List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Wendy Fronterio for Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator organization Massachsuetts Historical Commission date June 1980 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state Mass. 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national _ state local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according tothe criteria and procedures set forth by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

State Historic Preservation Oflicer signature Patuua & Weslowski 8/19/80 titleixecuitve Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission For HCRS use only I hereby certity that this property is included in the National Register date o-Keepet of the National Register Attest: latrich Andurs fonChief of Registration date 1/80 date 12/2/80 GPO -938 835 FHR-8-300A (11/78) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY .- NOMINATION FORM FOR HCRS USE ONLY SEP O 1980 RECETVED DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 1 1857).

Today's Russia Wharf Buildings form a refined commercial block on the edge in its neigh expaosion, with an intactness of form and inter-relationships uncormnon FHR-8-300A (11/78) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR HCRS USE ONLY RECEIVED SEP 1 0 1980 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE Bibliographical References continued #9. Zoi5 er, lesa emesistory fn the Russia Wart Site." Unpublished manuscript Zimmer, Edward. for Russia Wharf Development Co., 1979. Geographical Data cont. #10. mpany, 481.35 ft.; and on the southeast by a line drawn through the Fort Point Channel (the former U.S. Pierhead Line, also the former Mass. Harbor Line). Also refer to the attached map.

Property Ruocia Ziharf Bulklinee DUE 11/10/80 state Me, Korking Number 9/10/88/2252 TECHNICAL CONTROL Photos Maps 3 Hee canmereae beild ung th it HISTORIAN call then the late igthaent. These thee buildingo were constincted as acinit - all share common yalemedeiae decoratid ane e, tkngrdgen mpo Steraal mervlodule Pattick Anduus 11/3/80 ane notunifoum. ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN 12/2/80 V BD problem cleaued up. (ale phone report) ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory- Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCHCHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up . Federal Register Entry 2-2-82 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Russia Wharf Buildings Congress Street Boston, Mass. SEP 1 0 1980 Suffolk co. Carl Peter Erickson 1979 Russia Wharf Development Co.

286 Congress Street, Boston Photo #1 of 3 ook iongreus, 256-290 -54grAtlantic, DEC 2 1980 N901V SiaVAS Russia Wharf Buildings Congress Street Boston, Mass. Wendy Frontiero Suffolk Ca. SEP 1 0 1930 1979 5 Franklin Square, Gloucester Photo #2 of 3 Looking southeast, 518-540 Atlantic, 270 Congress, 276-290 Congress DEC 2 1980 Russia Wharf Buildings Congress Street Boston, Mass. Saffolkca. Carl Peter Erickson Russia Wharf Development Co. 286 Congress Street, Boston Photo #3 of 3 Looking southeast 518-540 Congress SEP 1 O 1980 DEC 1979 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE TELEPHONE REPORT DATE 1/12)80 TIME OF CALL 1. CALL - L FROM (Name) 2. ADDRESS (Tel. No. If needed) Wendy Frantiero SUBJECT, PROJECT NO., ETC. Russia Whall Buikdings - Suffolk co. MA. SHPO DETAILS OF DISCUSSION The VBDE map do not agree-Lasked hes to find out which is corect.

12/2/50 The VBD is correct - the nominated oved goes down to the waterline - the map does not show this. AM PM NAME OF PERSON PLACING/RECEIVING CALL Vatick Andus FHR-8-227 June 1978 TITLE OFFICE ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Date Entered STATE MASSACHUSETTS DEC2 1980 Name Location Broad Street Historic District /Russia Wharf Buildings Lynn Essex County Boston Suffolk County Also Notified Honorable Paul Tsongas Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Nicholas Mavroules Honorable John J. Moakley (NR Byers/jrb/12-29-80 State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs. Patricia I. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401.

08/06/84 Zean Leader'a surname Yellen Date_4/25185 SUBSTANTIVE MONITORING FORM PART I INSTRUCTIONS FOR MONITORING FORM First without reference to the data collection form, complete blanks for data elements that do not have asterisks. Next, look at the data collection form, and enter on the monitoring form a checkmark in the blanks for the data elements that do have asterisks (*) if they have been properly completed on the data collection form. If they have not, do not enter a checkmark, but circle the data element number in red. Then compare the monitoring form to the data collection form and if there are discrepancies between the two, circle in red on the monitoring form the numbers of the data element entries that do not agree. Then fill out part II of the Sustantive Monitoring Form and put it in the weekly production folder.

Finally, put the nomination folder with part I of the Substantive Monitoring Form and the data collection form in the problem box. If there are no discrepancies between the monitoring and data collection forms, simply return both to the data collector. State Mass Collector's Surname. Monitor's Surname Date Time List S T t0la. Control No. (*) *02. Resource Name Aussia Whent Bidgs to3. other Name/Stte Number A8aYA **04. Address/Boundary L(*) t04a. Restricted Location LoxAt05. Owner Codes (t*) *06. Resource Type CodesL(*) No. of Contributing: Buildings (#) t08. Sites (#) t09. Structures (#) t10. Objects(#) t11. Nondf Non-ontr12g Buildings IE2.S1teo()t13. Structuree((*)t14. object2(1) *15. Nomtnation/Determtnatton Type Code (A) t16.Multiple Name*) *17. Nominator Codes L* t18. Federal Agency Codes - *18. NPS Park Nane Code Lf 119. Nom. Name/Deoignattons _Zx6yt *20. Certification CodeZ(*) *21.

Certification Date L(*) t22. Other Cert. Codes MONITOR FORM (PAGE TWO) *23. Historic Function Codes t23b. Historic Subfunction Codes 12 (2) __ (2) -_ (2) 024(3) L0A(3)__ *24. Current Function Codes T24b. Current Subfunction Codes 2. 12) -- (2) - - (2) -- (2) 227 (3) ___ (3) __ _ (3) ___ (3) 423. Lavol of signtficance codo 1O (*) *26. Applicable orsterta codos _ (") = (1) A() () t26b. Name (36) t27. Criteria Consideration Codes (1) *28. Areas of Significance Codes Q3Q (3) QZQ (3) *29 Pertods/Signff1cance 25 gatGf - (3) - - - (3) -_ (2) - (3) - (3) (3) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) t30. Circa (1) c. (1) c. t30a. Specific Sig. Yrs. t31. Cultural Affiliation L22G (4) YYYY (4) (1) y y y y - - y (4) t32. 132. Arehitect/stc.PEABedx_1_StEARNS_ Architect/Etc.CANd 2_I2xLecjkEndall_1_Stevens (36) (36) t33. Other Documentation /x* +34. HABS No.(*) t35. HAER No. (*) 136.Arch styde 52(_(2) other (2) t37.

Describe Other Material Codes Q_L (2) 30 (2) 41 (2) 2/(2) 43(2) 38 (2) ar netal! foundation (*) (3) *H41. City Names 4a) **4la. Vicinity (24) *39. State Code *40. County Code *42. Acreage(*) **43. UTM Coordinates ((*) **44. Latitude and Longitude Coordinates