JOHN HANCOCK TOWER TO RECEIVE AIA 25 YEAR AWARD

THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER IN BOSTON BY I.M. PEI & PARTNERS, HAS BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE 2010 AIA 25 YEAR AWARD. THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN FUNCTION, IN THE DISTINGUISHED EXECUTION OF ITS ORIGINAL PROGRAM, AND IN THE CREATIVE ASPECTS OF ITS STATEMENT BY TODAY'S STANDARDS. THE 2010 25 YEAR AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE AIA NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NEW ORLEANS. 35 YEARS AFTER ITS DEDICATION, THE LEAN, RHOMBOID REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER DESIGNED BY HENRY COBB, FAIA, CONTINUES TO DRAMATIZE THIS CLASSIC ARCHITECTURAL QUESTION OF AESTHETIC BALANCE. BUILT ON A SMALL SITE ADJACENT TO SOME OF BOSTON'S GREATEST ARCHITECTURAL ASSETS, THE TOWER HAD TO BE MASSIVE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE OWNER'S REQUIREMENTS, YET ABSOLUTELY MINDFUL OF ITS DELICATE AND HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS. LOCATED IN BOSTON'S HISTORIC COPLEY SQUARE, THE HANCOCK TOWER CONTINUES TO SERVE AS AN OFFICE BUILDING. THE 60 STORY, 790 FOOT REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER REMAINS THE TALLEST BUILDING IN NEW ENGLAND. BOSTON GLOBE ARCHITECTURE CRITIC ROBERT CAMBELL, FAIA, SAID THE TOWER IS 'ONE OF THE GREATEST OFFICE TOWERS OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20th CENTURY.'