Ever wonder how tall the Prudential Tower letters are? We got the exact measurements behind one of Boston’s most visible signs.
The Prudential tower is among the tallest in Boston. Lane Turner/Globe Staff
The Prudential Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks across Greater Boston, acting as a kind of North Star for the city’s skyline. As the skyscraper comes into clearer view, its massive “Prudential” lettering, displayed on either side of the building, often draws a familiar question from visitors and locals alike: How tall are those letters?
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Boston.com posed the question to passersby near the Prudential Center.
“I’ll say eight and a half feet,” guessed Amy Rines, visiting from Colorado, while looking up at the letters.
“I think they’re around 10 feet?” added Imani Laird, standing outside of the Boston Public Library.
The actual answer lands neatly between those estimates. Each letter in “Prudential” stands at 9 feet, 1 inch tall, according to a representative from View Boston, the observatory located at the top of the tower. The 10 letters are spaced roughly 7 feet apart, and the full word — from the “P” to the “L” — stretches 111 feet, 2 inches across the building’s facade.
Letter widths vary, of course. For example, the “E” measures 84.3 inches wide. The lettering uses a modified version of Clarendon BT Roman, a classic serif typeface adapted for large buildings.
The Prudential Tower contrasts the triple-decker homes in Dorchester on Jan. 3, 1977. (David L. Ryan/Globe Staff)
Completed in 1965, the Prudential Tower rises 52 stories, making it the second tallest office building in the city and the 114th tallest in the country. On a clear day, visitors at View Boston can see up to 33 miles across the region.
The tower is classified as an International Style building, according to Buildings DB, a style which originated in early 20th century Europe. The structure features a steel-frame, reinforced with concrete slabs and a non-load bearing curtain wall system to transfer loads from outside temperature or wind to the interior structure, a hallmark of mid-20th century modern construction.
The Prudential Tower was among eight buildings that were lit up in blue on Sept. 11 in a show of solidarity with New York. – Gupta Media
The Prudential Tower is a part of the larger Prudential Center complex, which sees a total of more than 60,000 daily visitors, including more than 18,000 office workers. Continuing a 16-year tradition, the building lights up every night in December for 31 Nights of Light, showcasing different colors to honor 28 local nonprofits and three holidays. On New Year’s Eve, the tower will glow gold to close out the year.
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