The crate Faneuil Hall came in is now an official city landmark

The Boston Landmarks Commission has officially designated City Hall as a landmark building.

The building was conceived as a symbol of democratic governance and accessibility, fostering transparency and civic engagement. Its bold design marked a departure from Boston’s traditional architectural vernacular of brick and brownstone, redefining the city’s architectural identity and the nature of public space.

Complete Landmarks Commission report on the brutalist building, which, along with the JFK Building and Centre Plaza replaced Scollay Square.

Although the building was formally dedicated in 1969 under Kevin White, John Collins was the first mayor to work in the fifth-floor mayor's office, in 1967 (note the rotary in front of Faneuil Hall):

White, his wife Katherine and architect Gerhard Kallmann, whose firm submitted the winning design in 1962, for the new City Hall, at its formal 1969 dedication:

City Hall in 1971.

In 1976, White squired Queen Elizabeth through City Hall, as her husband and his wife followed at a respectful distance:

"It's for you!" C-3PO told a woman during a 1980 visit with R2D2 and Mark Hamill. Mayor Tom Menino later famously banned the use of robots to answer City Hall phones (Menino also proposed selling the whole plaza off for development and putting up a new City Hall in the "Innovation District" now known as the Seaport).

Top photo and photos of Collins and the Whites and architect from the BPL's Brearley collection. Posted under this Creative Commons license. Photo of the Whites and Kallman from the BPL. Used under this Creative Commons license. Star Wars and queen photos copyright city of Boston.