Building “recycling” Boston Style.

Before recycling, one of the buildings was a jail; the other was the Boston Police Department Headquarters. Not only did they “host” very different types of guests, but also they are on opposite sides of town –one near the river, the other near the old Hancock Tower.

Both are now very high-end luxury hotels – the Old Charles Street Jail is the Liberty Hotel (no pun intended, maybe?) located by the Charles Street T station, the Old Police Headquarters is the Loews Boston Hotel at 360 Stuart Street. The Loews hotel was previously called Jury’s Hotel – but the name was not a play on its former use, it was the name of the family group that bought it (there are several Jury’s Hotels in Ireland but not sure that they are related).

Both buildings have kept many of the features of their former use. The First impression of the Liberty Hotel is the massive granite blocks that comprise the structure of the building. Then, near the main entrance, is a large granite plaque – built into the wall – presenting all the information from when the jail opened in 1851. (By the way, when it opened, it was considered modern and incorporated all the latest theories on what incarceration should be all about.)

Upon entering, the lobby atrium is several stories high (must have been the central core of the old jail?). At different levels there are still what appear to be railings or catwalks from the old cell corridors. The eating and drinking lounges are called “Alibi” and “Clink”.

The Loews hotel has on its façade “Boston Police Department Headquarters”. Entering the building there is the initial feeling of entering  – Police Department Headquarters. The entry doors are the original doors.

Once inside two other items are eye-catching. The first one is the plaque on the wall of the stairs leading to the reception desk. This is the original plaque from when the building was dedicated and opened in the 1920’s.  (James Michael Curley is the mayor – more on that later.) The second one is the yellow and marble floor with black marble trimming. (Just what one would expect from the HQ of a large city police department.)

Fittingly, the bar here is called “Cuffs”.

Both hotels have had famous (infamous?) “Guests”. The Liberty Hotel “guests” included James Michael Curley –Mayor of Boston who actually won re-election while a guest there! Loews was also used as a holding tank. One of its “guests” was The Boston Strangler.

But, at the same time there is no doubt that both are high-end luxury hotels with the appropriate modern comforts, outstanding quality and courteous service. They have a dignified elegance about them, which is palpable from the minute one enters.

Up to you which side of the law you want to be on, but both places are definitely worth a visit/stay to view them, enjoy some libations and imagine what they must have been like in their previous “lives”.  And remember, unlike previous “guests” you get to leave, of your own free will, whenever you are ready to do so.