Andrews Hall – Brown University // 1947

Andrews Hall was built after WWII to serve as a dormitory for Pembroke College, the women’s college affiliated with Brown University (later merging in 1971). The new building was named for Elisha Benjamin Andrews, president of Brown University (1889-1898) who was instrumental in the establishment of the college for women in 1891. The new building created a central link, joining Miller and Metcalf halls and nearly doubling the dormitory capacity of Pembroke College, creating an enclosed yard in the process. The architectural firm of Perry, Shaw, Hepburn & Dean (in existence today as Perry Dean Rogers Architects) was hired to provide the plans, which serves a northern edge of the small former Pembroke College quad. Principal architect Thomas Mott Shaw used specially colored brick to give the building a weathered look to achieve harmony with the two buildings which it connected. The style of Andrews Hall is Colonial Revival with a hip on cross-gable roof and is constructed of brick with central three-bays clad limestone facing the courtyard. The building is set over the dining hall which is set into the sunken landscape with the terrace above. The three buildings were recently renovated by CBT Architects and shine today!

Cotting Building // 1812

On Water Street, one of the lesser-trafficked streets in Downtown Boston, you will find this little commercial building dating back to around 1812. It was built by Uriah Cotting (1766-1819), a merchant and developer of Boston. The row of three brick Federal style mercantile structures were sold soon after completion to David Hinckley in 1813. Hinckley was a descendent of Thomas Hinckley, Governor of the Plymouth Colony from 1680 to 1692. The building was altered in 1915 with Federal (Colonial) Revival detailing and combined for a single tenant by architect Andrew Hepburn, later a partner of Perry, Shaw & Hepburn. This structure is still one of my favorites and is always a treat to stumble upon when strolling around Downtown.