View source for Copley Place

{{Short description|Building complex in Boston}}
{{About|the building complex|the public park|Copley Square|the hotel|The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Copley Place
| logo = Copley Place logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| logo_alt = 
| logo_caption = 
| image = Copley Place.jpg
| image_size = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Interior of the mall concourse, since renovated (2007)
| coordinates = {{coord|42.347363|-71.079079|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| status = Open
| building_type = {{flat list|
* [[Mixed-use development|Mixed-use]]
** [[shopping mall]]
** [[hotel]]
** [[office]]
}}
| location = 100 [[Huntington Avenue]], [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], United States
| namesake = 
| years_built = 1977&ndash;1984
| groundbreaking_date = {{start date and age|1980|11|3}}
| opened_date = {{start date and age|1984}}
| renovation_date = 
| cost = [[United States dollar|US$]]400 million
| ren_cost = 
| client = 
| owner = [[Simon Property Group]]
| management = Simon Property Group
| floor_count = {{plain list|
* 2 (shopping mall)
* 3 ([[Neiman Marcus]])
}}
| floor_area = {{plain list|
* Shopping mall: {{convert|385000|sqft|m2}}
* Office space: {{convert|800000|sqft|m2}}
}}
| grounds_area = {{convert|9.5|acre|m2}}
| architect = Howard Elkus
| architecture_firm = [[The Architects' Collaborative]]
| developer = Kenneth Himmel
| ren_architect = 
| ren_firm = [[Elkus Manfredi Architects]]
| number_of_stores = 80
| number_of_anchors = 2
| public_transit = {{plain list|
* [[Back Bay station|Back Bay]]:
* {{rint|boston|subway}} {{rint|Boston|orange}}
* {{rint|boston|rail|framingham/worcester}}
* {{rint|boston|rail|providence/stoughton}}
* {{rint|us|amtrak}} ''[[Acela]]'' and ''[[Northeast Regional]]''
}}
| website = {{URL|simon.com/mall/copley-place}}
| references = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/project_profiles/ma_copley_place.aspx|title=Project Profile: Copley Place|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|accessdate=April 18, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0909/090960.html|title = Boston's new Copley Place - urban renewal of the most elegant kind|journal = Christian Science Monitor|date = 9 September 1983}}</ref>
}}

'''Copley Place''' is a [[Mixed-use development|mixed-use]] complex of four [[office]] buildings, two [[hotel]]s, and a [[shopping mall]] in the [[Back Bay, Boston|Back Bay]] neighborhood of [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], United States. Construction began in 1980, which required [[air rights]] over the [[Massachusetts Turnpike]], and was completed in 1984. It is owned and managed by [[Simon Property Group]]. It also connects to several nearby destinations managed separately from the center, including the [[Prudential Center (Boston)|Prudential Center]] complex, the [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts|Sheraton Boston Hotel]], and multi-modal [[Back Bay station]]. The shopping mall is anchored by [[Neiman Marcus]] and a [[Saks Fifth Avenue]] men's store.

In November 2019, the online business news website MassLive rated Copley Place as fourth, and the immediately adjacent [[Prudential Center (Boston)|Prudential Center]] as fifth best among 40 malls and shopping centers in Massachusetts.<ref name="LaFratta">{{cite web |last1=LaFratta |first1=Kristin |title=40 Massachusetts malls and shopping centers ranked from the worst to the best |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/erry-2018/12/55aef1b10c4751/40-massachusetts-malls-and-sho.html |website=MassLive |access-date=2020-03-09 |language=en |date=23 November 2019}}</ref>

==Description==
The bi-level indoors mall is noted for its upscale fashion stores, including [[Ralph Lauren]], [[Christian Dior]], [[John Varvatos]], [[Michael Kors]], [[Tory Burch]], [[Victorinox|Victorinox Swiss Army]], [[Porsche Design]], [[Tiffany & Co.]], [[Jimmy Choo]], [[David Yurman]], [[Louis Vuitton]], [[Salvatore Ferragamo]], [[Yves Saint Laurent (brand)|Saint Laurent]], [[Ermenegildo Zegna Group|Ermenegildo Zegna]], [[Burberry]], [[Furla]], and [[Gucci]].<ref name="Simon"/> Above, the third level provides access to a lobby, reception desk, and the bases of the four office towers.

The mall is connected directly to the [[Prudential Center (shopping mall)|Prudential Center]] shopping mall via a [[Skyway|skybridge]] over [[Huntington Avenue (Boston)|Huntington Avenue]]. Another skybridge connects to the [[Westin Hotels & Resorts|Westin]] at Copley Place hotel (and a few small shops), by crossing Huntington Avenue at a different location. A [[Marriott Hotels & Resorts|Marriott]] hotel anchors one end of Copley Place, and the [[Neiman Marcus]] department store anchors the other end. The mall is also connected to the [[Back Bay (MBTA station)|Back Bay]] [[MBTA]]/[[Amtrak]] station via a pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath Dartmouth Street.

The property is managed by [[Simon Property Group]],<ref name="Simon"/> which acquired it in the 2002 breakup of the then Dutch-owned [[Urban Shopping Centers]], Inc.<ref>https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2017/08/10/what-new-copley-place/Wd1jMrJshDxJWyRyj6oGYP/story.html, opening</ref>{{failed verification|date=March 2020}}

== Development ==
=== Site ===
The structure was the first major project designed by Howard Elkus, then of [[The Architects' Collaborative]].<ref name="Elkus">{{cite web |title=Howard Elkus: From little doodles to big dreams |url=https://www.vmsd.com/content/howard-elkus |website=[[Visual Merchandising and Store Design]] |access-date=2020-03-09 |language=en |date=October 1, 2004}}</ref> At the time, it was Boston's largest urban mixed-use development project,<ref name="Elkus"/> financed by the [[Pritzker family]] of Chicago.<ref name="Weigel"/> It was built in 1983 directly above the [[Massachusetts Turnpike]] and [[Huntington Avenue]] highway interchange ramps, which had been constructed in 1964 on the site of the former South End Armory. The Armory building had been completed in 1890, and was razed to make room for the Mass Pike right-of-way.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tsipis |first=Yanni |date=2002 |title=Building the Mass Pike |location=Charleston, SC |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |page=[https://archive.org/details/buildingmasspike00yann/page/98 98] |isbn=0738509728 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/buildingmasspike00yann/page/98 }}</ref> Later, as a principal of [[Elkus Manfredi Architects]], Elkus would lead several major renovations of the mall, and a proposed expansion.<ref name=ElkusObit>{{cite web |last1=Mishkin |first1=Shaina |title=Copley Place architect Howard Elkus dies at 78 |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2017/04/copley_place_architect_howard.html |website=MassLive |access-date=2020-03-09 |language=en |date=10 April 2017}}</ref>

=== Proposed residential tower ===
In 2011, plans for a {{convert|60000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} addition of retail space to the facility and a {{convert|54000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} expansion of its Neiman Marcus anchor were approved by the [[Boston Planning and Development Agency|Boston Redevelopment Authority]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Copley Place Retail Expansion & Residential Addition Project Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)|url=http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/planning/PlanningInitsIndividual.asp?InitID=132&action=ViewInit |access-date=2013-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505140518/http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/Planning/PlanningInitsIndividual.asp?action=ViewInit&InitID=132 |archive-date=2013-05-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By February 2013, the project was awaiting final design plans.<ref name="bplans">{{cite web |title=Copley Place Retail Expansion and Residential Addition - Project Summary |url=http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/1867fa8a-3264-466c-9f87-60a1fa695170 |website=Bostonplans |access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref><ref name="seekingalpha">{{cite web|url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/1155301-simon-property-group-management-discusses-q4-2012-results-earnings-call-transcript?page=3|publisher=seekingalpha.com|title=Simon Property Group Management Discusses Q4 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript &#124; Seeking Alpha|access-date=2016-11-12}}</ref> In October 2016, Simon Properties announced indefinite postponement of its $500-million project to build a 52-story luxury residential tower, and drastic scaling back of plans to expand the Copley Place mall, citing concerns about rising costs and competition from other Boston luxury towers already under construction.<ref name="Graham">{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Jordan |title=Simon Properties postpones luxury Copley Place tower |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2016/10/28/simon-properties-postpones-luxury-copley-place-tower/ |access-date=2020-03-09 |work=Boston Herald |date=28 October 2016}}</ref>

== Complex ==
=== Structures ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of Copley Place buildings
! Name
! Floor area
|-
| Tower 1
| {{convert|271518|sqft|m2}}
|-
| Tower 2
| {{convert|230000|sqft|m2}}
|-
| Tower 3
| {{convert|195666|sqft|m2}}
|-
| Tower 4
| {{convert|200591|sqft|m2}}
|-
|}

=== Shopping mall ===
[[File:BostonMA CopleyPlaceWaterfall.jpg|thumb|left|Centerpiece sculptural fountain ([[Dimitri Hadzi]], 1984). The waterfall had been shut off (2012), and the artwork was demolished a few years later.]]
From its opening, the mall has been marketed as a high-end luxury retail location. Over time, the mix of stores changed in response to sweeping changes affecting the US retailing market. For example, a sizable [[Rizzoli Bookstore]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=McDowell |first1=Edwin |title=Rizzoli Grows from 'Museums' to Book Chain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/08/22/books/rizzoli-grows-from-museums-to-book-chain.html |access-date=2020-03-09 |work=The New York Times |date=22 August 1984}}</ref> was located opposite the elevators behind the central water feature, but it had closed by the year 2000. Other stores which have moved out include Stoddard's (fine cutlery and personal care tools)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurland |first1=Ann Trieger |title=Regarding knives, he's sharp as can be |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/foodanddining/2011/09/13/regarding-knives-sharp-can/Kd7i7QQH4J3h2GAwK2pORI/story.html |access-date=2020-03-09 |work=BostonGlobe.com |date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> and [[Williams Sonoma]] (kitchenware and food ingredients). {{As of|2020}}, almost all of the stores sell fashionable clothing, shoes, or accessories.<ref name="Simon">{{cite web |title=Store Directory for Copley Place - A Shopping Center In Boston, MA - A Simon Property |url=https://www.simon.com/mall/copley-place/stores |website=www.simon.com |publisher=Simon Property Group, LP |access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>

The mall had also housed one of the few major-chain-owned movie theaters within Boston city limits, but the [[Loews Cineplex Entertainment|Loews]] Copley Place Cinemas was closed in January 2005. It was replaced by [[Barneys New York]] men's clothing, which closed in 2019. Barney's became a new [[Saks Fifth Avenue]] Men's Store, on August 14, 2020.<ref name=globe>{{cite news |last1=Nanos |first1=Janelle |title=Saks Fifth Avenue opens a men's store in Back Bay: It will occupy the former Barneys space in the Copley Place mall |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/14/business/saks-fifth-avenue-opens-mens-store-back-bay/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 14, 2020}}</ref> 

Upon its opening, the indoor mall featured as its centerpiece a {{convert|60|ft|adj=on}} high sculptural fountain designed by Boston artist [[Dimitri Hadzi]]. The artwork was composed of multiple abstract [[granite]] and [[travertine marble]] shapes, with a [[waterfall]] cascading down it into a shallow pool at the bottom, surrounded by marble benches. A proposed renovation which would eliminate the water feature prompted commentary opposing its demolition in 2013.<ref name="Weigel">{{cite web|last1=Weigel|first1=Margaret|title=Fuse Commentary: To Stay or Not to Stay? Copley Place's fountain faces an uphill battle|url=http://artsfuse.org/92825/fuse-commentary-to-stay-or-not-to-stay-copley-places-fountain-faces-an-uphill-battle/|website=The Arts Fuse|date=26 September 2013|publisher=artsfuse.org|access-date=2017-07-20}}</ref> {{As of |2017}}, the fountain had been completely removed, and the location and status of its sculptural components were unknown to the general public.

== Major tenants ==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! Name
! Type
! Location
! Size
! Year<br />opened
! Year<br />closed
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| [[Barneys New York]]
| Department store
| Mall concourse
| {{convert|46,000|sqft|abbr=on}}
| 2006
| 2020
| Replaced Loews
|-
| {{sort|Bridgespan Group, The|[[The Bridgespan Group]]}}
| Office
| Tower 2
| 
| 
| 
| Headquarters
|-
| Canada [[Consulate|Consulates-General]]
| Office
| Tower 3
| 
| 
| 
| Located in suite 400<ref>"[http://www.boston.gc.ca/ Canadian Consulate-General: Boston]."</ref>
|-
| Germany Consulates-General
| Office
| Tower 3
| 
| 
| 
| Located in suite 500<ref>"[http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/03__Consulates/Boston/00/__Home.html German Consulate-General: Boston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928080904/http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/03__Consulates/Boston/00/__Home.html |date=2011-09-28 }}."</ref>
|-
| [[Loews Cineplex Entertainment|Loews]]
| Movie theater
| Mall concourse
| 
| 1983
| 2005
| 
|-
| [[Marriott Hotels & Resorts|Marriott]] Copley Place
| Hotel
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
| [[Neiman Marcus]]
| Department store
| Mall concourse
| {{convert|166,900|sqft|abbr=on}}
| 1983
| {{N/A}}
| 
|-
| [[Saks Fifth Avenue]]
| Department store
| Mall concourse
| {{convert|46,000|sqft|abbr=on}}
| 2020
| {{N/A}}
| Men's store; replaced Barneys New York
|-
| [[Wayfair]]
| Office
| Tower 4
| 
| 
| 
| Headquarters
|-
| [[US Census Bureau]]
| Office
| Tower 4
| 
| 
| 
| Boston regional office located in suite 301<ref>"[https://www.census.gov/robos/www/ The Boston Region]." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved 2010-01-17.</ref> 
|-
| [[Westin Hotels & Resorts|Westin]] Copley Place Boston
| Hotel
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|-
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Copley Place aerial view, December 2018.JPG|The four Copley Place office towers are the irregular shapes in the upper left of this aerial view
File:2009 CopleySquare Boston 3271041586.jpg|In this view centered on [[Copley Square]], the Westin Copley Place hotel is the tower in the right foreground
File:2017 Prudential Skywalk - Westin Copley Place (NNE).jpg|The Westin Copley Place hotel connects via skybridge to the mall at the far right
File:2007-0925-Boston-JohnHancockTower.jpg|Copley Place mall is located at the lower right of this view
File:Neiman Marcus Boston.jpg|A Neiman Marcus store is the exterior visible [[anchor tenant]] at one end of the mall
File:Boston - buildings 71.JPG|The Boston Marriott Copley Place hotel anchors the other end of the enclosed mall
File:Downtown Boston at dusk.jpg|This [[Skyway|skybridge]] connects Copley Place (at right) to the [[Prudential Center (shopping mall)|Prudential Center]]
File:Dartmouth Street Underpass.jpg|This [[glass block|glassblock]]-lined underground corridor connects Copley Place to [[Back Bay station]] 
</gallery>

== References ==
{{ref list}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.simon.com/mall/copley-place Official website]

{{Shopping malls in Massachusetts}}
{{Simon Property Group|northeast}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Landmarks in Back Bay, Boston]]
[[Category:Simon Property Group]]
[[Category:Shopping malls in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Boston]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1983]]