Union Wharf
Why it's listed
Union Wharf juts into Boston's Inner Harbor opposite the North End, its western end anchored by a granite block pier dating from about 1795. By 1850 the wharf had nearly tripled in size and reached close to its present outline. The chief building is a granite-faced warehouse, 92 feet wide and 290 feet long, erected in 1846-1847 for merchant John L. Gardner. Rough-faced granite over brick bearing walls, smooth granite quoins and cornice, and peaked pediments above the upper windows define its appearance. Later owners included the Metropolitan and Eastern steamship companies, and the warehouse also served as a bonded warehouse and a storage place for woolens and footwear. Fire and construction of the Sumner Tunnel led to the removal of the top story from its eastern end around 1945. Converted to housing after 1977, it remains a rare surviving example of the granite warehouses that reflected Boston's mid-nineteenth century shipping trade.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the warehouse is one of the few remaining waterfront warehouses and shows the granite construction typical of Boston's mid-nineteenth century commercial buildings. The wharf also represents the major role of the Port of Boston in nineteenth century shipping and the continual expansion of the city's shoreline.
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 80000669, listed June 22, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 295-353 Commercial St., Boston |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | June 22, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000669 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1795, 1846-47 |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The warehouse was converted to housing after the property was sold in 1977; five other buildings on the wharf (a tin-clad shed and four rows of 1978 townhouses) are not historic. Condition is rated fair and altered. |
| Acreage | 2.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.36558, -71.05023 (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 80000669.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7886391
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.