The Driscoll Building
The Driscoll Building, located at 715 Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay, is a six-story, low-rise building with a glazed terra cotta façade. The first floor consists of a modern storefront while the 5th and 6th floors consist of metal wall cladding at the exterior façade. The building, which features a beaux-arts style architecture, was designed by Peabody & Stearns and constructed circa 1908. It is part of the Back Bay Architectural District (Local Historic District) and the Back Bay Historic District (National Register of Historic Places).
The terra cotta façade was experiencing deterioration as evidenced through isolated cracks, spalls, deteriorated glazed finishes, weakening previous repairs including cementitious patches and glazing coating repairs as well as failed mortar joints.
GRLA was selected by the general contractor L/R Construction, on behalf of the building owner, to assess the terra cotta veneer conditions and underlying components. GRLA performed an inspection, made recommendations and proceeded with development of construction documents to address the façade repairs. Prior to construction, GRLA applied for the work in accordance with the design review process required by the Boston Landmarks Commission for the Back Bay Architectural District.
During construction GRLA conducted site visits, reviewed terra cotta repair mock-ups, reviewed substrate preparation and test adhesion of the new coatings with the manufacturer’s representative. We added protective coatings on large horizontal projections and used lead tees to protect mortar joints. Following completion repairs, the city and owner requested GRLA complete a façade ordinance report along with our final construction control affidavit to close the permit. Allstar Waterproofing completed the masonry work and Conproco Corp. provided the coatings and repair materials
The following photos illustrate the condition of the Driscoll Building prior to the façade update.
