The Prudential Building: Boston Skyline
Visiting Boston, you will notice a lovely skyline of sleek, modern skyscrapers and older, elegant buildings. One towering silhouette is sure to stand out: the Prudential Building.
Prudential Building across the Charles River
As one of the tallest buildings in Boston, it is easily recognized by its square footprint and towering antenna. The Prudential Building opened in 1965 and stands at 749 feet (228 meters) tall, covering 52 stories. Today, it is the second-tallest building in Boston, but when it opened, it was the tallest tower in North America outside of New York! By surpassing the previous record-holder, the Terminal Tower in Cleveland (708 ft), it held the 'tallest outside NYC' title until Chicago claimed it with the completion of the John Hancock Center (1,128 ft) in 1969.
Located between Boston's Back Bay and South End neighborhoods, it is a central hub in the city's shopping district. The Prudential Building, affectionately known as the Pru by some Boston residents, is a hub of activity day and night.
This building is part of the multifunctional Prudential Center complex, with a bustling shopping mall, restaurants and coffee shops, hotels, and the Hynes Convention Center, as well as easy access to Boston public transportation via buses and the subway! Inside the building, there are over 70 shops and restaurants along the glass-domed walkways. In this Boston-weather-proofed space, you can visit a mix of luxury department stores, shops of familiar brands, and modern boutiques. Along the way, you can stop into immersive dining experiences, like Eataly, or other top-notch restaurants, or even grab a quick bite and coffee. The Pru has so much to explore! For tourists looking for unique experiences in Boston, you can view the city and its surrounding areas from above! Visit View Boston on the 50th-52nd floors of the tower for a 360-degree view of the city.
The Prudential Tower is an active contributor to the skyline's ambience. Frequently, the Pru lights up with the team colors of whichever Boston sports team is playing that evening. Red lights - Red Sox. Green lights - Celtics. Red, White, and Blue - Patriots. Golden yellow - Bruins. And if multiple teams are playing, you get a mixture! Additionally, in December, you can see even more colorful lights celebrating the efforts of non-profits in Boston during the yearly 31 Nights of Light event.
Nearby, you can expand your shopping opportunities by exploring Boylston Street and Newbury Street, which are both filled with name-brand shops and small locally owned boutiques. If you are looking to shop or even peruse the windows, these streets near the Pru are a must-see. More about the history of Newbury Street in later posts!
The Prudential Building is a great place to visit year-round. Escape the heat of summer and enjoy air-conditioning, or warm up with coffee and hot cocoa as Boston's blustery winter storms blow through. Whether you are inside the Pru, shopping, dining, or sightseeing, this eye-catching building is sure to be memorable.
