Locke-Ober Restaurant
Why it's listed
Locke-Ober occupies a pair of attached three-story red brick Greek Revival rowhouses at 3 and 4 Winter Place, a narrow alley in Boston's central business district. A late 19th century restaurant storefront with cast iron piers, stained glass and original wooden double doors unites the two buildings, which probably date from after 1832. The interior largely reflects an 1886 remodelling by Louis Ober, who brought in mahogany from San Domingo, French wood carvers, a bronze statue from France and German-designed steam dishes made by Reed and Barton. A painted Etruscan-themed ceiling, oak wainscoting and a nude painting by Tommaso Juglaris complete the barroom. Ober's restaurant and Frank Locke's neighboring Wine Rooms were joined in 1894 and later became the Locke-Ober Company under Emil Camus, who developed its blend of French and American cooking. The property was recognized as one of the few surviving Greek Revival residential buildings in the district and for its long record as a restaurant on one site.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is architecturally significant for its Victorian barroom interior, set within one of the few remaining Greek Revival residential buildings in Boston's Central Business District. It is historically significant as an eating establishment on the same site for over 100 years, one of the city's longest-lived restaurant traditions. A 1980 city study rated it of "Major Significance."
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86001911, listed July 24, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3--4 Winter Pl., Boston |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | July 24, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001911 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival rowhouses with a late 19th century restaurant storefront and Victorian interior |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in commercial use; the form describes its condition as good and altered, on its original site. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.35555, -71.06235 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86001911.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6665334
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.