About the Boston Landmarks Petition for the Charles River Esplanade

What is a Boston Landmark?

(Text is taken from the Boston Landmarks Commission website.)

A designated Boston Landmark is a property (or a district comprised of multiple properties) with historic, social, cultural, architectural, or aesthetic significance to the City and the Commonwealth, the New England region, or the nation. It has been designated through a formal process, and once designated, proposed changes to Landmark properties require Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) design review and approval. Landmark designation does not regulate use or occupancy.

A petition initiates the designation process. Petition forms and instructions are available at the Environment Department or by mail. Each petition is brought before the Boston Landmarks Commission at a public, preliminary hearing. If the Commission votes to accept the petition for further study it goes on a list of pending designations. Annually, the commission develops a work plan to determine for which properties BLC staff will prepare a study report, to establish the significance of the property. A formal designation hearing will be held when the study report is complete. The Commission, City Council, and the Mayor must all approve designation in order for a Boston Landmark to become official.