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Joan Goody, Principal - Goody Clancy and Associates with S. Maxwell Beal admiring the Berkeley's scale model birthday cake
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On Nov. 17, 2007, A. W. Perry, Inc. celebrated the 100th anniversary of THE BERKELEY, a Back Bay landmark at 420 Boylston Street, Boston with an elegant dinner reception.
Event attendees enjoyed a grand buffet prepared by The Catered Affair of Hingham. Pastry chef Ellen Bartlett of Cakes to Remember created a delicious tribute cake in the form of a scale model reproduction of the building.
S. Maxwell Beal, A.W. Perry Chairman Emeritus, spoke of The Berkeley history, “Perry became involved in the building in the 1940s, acquiring 50 percent of the shares of its then owner, the Berkeley Hotel Trust, and eventually acquired full ownership in the 1950s. Built in 1906 on the site of the former Berkeley Hotel, it was designed by Constant Desire Despradelle, dean of architecture at MIT.
Prior to its restoration, the building was home to the “decorative arts” field. In a sense, The Berkeley “launched” the Boston Design Center in South Boston when its design tenants, such as Brunschwig & Fils and Stark Carpet, relocated during the renovation.”
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James Alexander, Principal - Feingold, Alexander+Associates
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After obtaining designation on the National Register of Historic Places, Perry completely renovated The Berkeley in 1987 – 1989, at a cost of $15 million. Macomber Builders, under the direction of George Macomber, handled the renovation, and the project’s architect was James Alexander of Feingold, Alexander+Associates.
According to Alexander, there were several challenges. "All of Despradelle’s drawings were destroyed in a fire. We had one beautiful rendering of the exterior and one surviving original storefront with which to piece it all together. Then there was the challenge to make the building work for modern offices while maintaining its historic character. Originally, the building was shaped in the form of a ‘U’ with an external light well. We connected one side to the other with an ‘O’ shape floor plan and created an interior atrium." He continued, “Restoring the balustrade to its former grandeur was also a significant feat. It would have cost well over $1 million to restore it to the original terra cotta. Instead, we used reinforced fiberglass to replicate the original design, which cost roughly 40 percent of what it would have, and there was no danger of deterioration with this material. We were able to overcome the major challenges, as well as quite a few minor ones, in a restoration that will surely stand the test of time.”
Known as “the Crowned Jewel of the Back Bay”, The Berkeley was the first building in Boston to be honored with all three of BOMA’s “Office Building of the Year” awards in 1990, local, regional and international. Current tenants include Arnold Communications, Goody, Clancy and Associates and other consulting and asset management firms in addition to upscale retail establishments. Learn more
“With panoramic views of Back Bay, fantastic historical elements and modernized systems which provide comfort and security to tenants, The Berkeley is a stylish and prestigious building that offers an exciting and inspiring working environment. We’re very proud of it,” noted John H. Spurr, Jr., president of A.W. Perry and host of The Berkeley’s anniversary gala.
Photo front: S. Maxwell Beal, Chairman Emeritus; John H. Spurr, Jr., President; Buzz Constable, Exec. V.P.; Rich Beal, V.P. - back: Mark Flaherty, CFO: Paul Needham, V.P.
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