Celebrating the Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston's New Landmark
On Thursday August 13, 2026, the Fairmont Copley Plaza staff raised a glass to celebrate both 114 years of history and its new landmark designation from the City of Boston.
The celebration drew the attendance of historic preservationists, community members, and City officials including Elizabeth Sherva, Deputy Director of the Office of Historic Preservation and Executive Director of the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC); BLC Architectural Historian, Jennifer Gaugler; and Landmarks Commissioners Vineet Gupta, Jeffrey Heyne, and Justine Orlando.
Sherva emphasized that preservation is also about stewardship and the accumulated memories associated with historic places. She recognized the Fairmont Copley Plaza's staff and management as caretakers who have worked to balance the responsibilities of preserving a historic property with the needs of a modern hotel.
“Landmarking is not about stopping change,” Sherva said. “It is about identifying what is important and managing change so that those qualities endure. The goal is not to freeze the Copley Plaza Hotel in time, but to ensure that as it evolves, it remains recognizable as the Copley Plaza Hotel beloved by generations of Bostonians and visitors alike.”
The Office of Historic Preservation and Boston Landmarks Commission recognize Architectural Historian Jennifer Gaugler for her research and preparation of the Landmark Study Report and thank General Manager Tabish Siddiquie and the Fairmont Copley Plaza team for their partnership throughout the designation process.
Located prominently at the corner of St. James Avenue and Copley Square, the Copley Plaza is an exceptional example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. Designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, who also designed the Plaza Hotel in New York, the building has been an important part of Boston's Back Bay streetscape since its opening in 1912.
The landmark designation followed the completion of a Landmark Study Report, which documents the property's history, architecture, and significance and establishes standards to guide future changes. The designation recognizes the building for its structural innovations and exceptionally elaborate interiors, as well as its important role in the history and development of Copley Square.
Landmark designation is a deliberate public process. A nomination does not automatically result in designation; properties must be researched, evaluated, and presented to the Boston Landmarks Commission for consideration. The process provides an opportunity to understand what makes each historic property significant.
The Copley Plaza's significance extends well beyond its exterior. The Grand Ballroom, Oval Room, Peacock Alley, lobby, historic mosaic flooring, and other surviving architectural details contribute to the building's integrity and character. These spaces also reflect the hotel's long history as a gathering place for Boston residents and visitors, hosting weddings, receptions, bar mitzvahs, proms, and countless other events over generations.
The hotel's history is closely connected to the cultural history of Boston. The property occupies the former site of the Museum of Fine Arts and stands among some of Copley Square's most significant landmarks, including the Boston Public Library, Old South Church, and Trinity Church. Its guests have included U.S. presidents, artists, entertainers, and other prominent figures.
From a handwritten petition signed by 10 Boston voters in 1989 to its designation as a City of Boston Landmark in 2026, the story of the Fairmont Copley Plaza demonstrates how preservation advocacy can help ensure that significant places remain part of Boston's future.
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