Despite the intra-judicial squabbling, the re-done John Adams Courthouse in Pemberton Square is a spectacular building. The only failing of the renovators, I think, was in their failing to secure permission to raze Center Plaza, which hides the courthouse from the city. Like City Hall and the JFK Federal Building, Center Plaza is an architectural insult that detracts from the city's old beauty.
In the photo on the right, you can see a corner of the old John Adams building, next to the Superior Court tower. As you can tell from the photo on the left, you can't see any of it from Government Center. All you can see is Center Plaza. (The Globe article linked above has a good photo of the John Adams courthouse.)
I was just up there myself -- took some photos, too (see the link on my name). The funny thing is that when I went to get sworn in, I saw no one at the security gate. I walked extra-slow through the metal detector so it would go off, but no one came. So I waltzed right into the clerk's office. I suppose there might be another security gate before you can get to the SJC's chambers, but you would think the court that handed down the Goodridge decision would have a tad more security?
Posted by: Anderkoo | February 23, 2005 at 01:12 PM
Can we raze City Hall while we're at it, please? That building is offensive, too.
Posted by: matt | February 23, 2005 at 09:26 PM