27 State Street

Historic 27 State Street, located in Boston’s Financial District, was experiencing persistent water infiltration through the building’s windows and exterior walls, along with widespread cracking and deterioration of its terra cotta masonry façade. Fidelity Investments retained Building Envelope Technologies, Inc. (BET) to conduct a comprehensive hands-on investigation of the building’s masonry façades, windows, and roofing systems. The investigation included the strategic removal of terra cotta and brick masonry elements to evaluate concealed conditions and identify the underlying causes of deterioration. Through its investigation, BET determined that corrosion of structural steel members behind the terra cotta veneer was creating rust-jacking stresses that contributed significantly to the cracking and displacement of the façade. Based on these findings, a full-scale restoration of the building envelope was initiated. BET was subsequently retained to develop the design and construction documents for the complete façade restoration and window replacement. The scope included preparation of detailed specifications, plans, and restoration details, as well as management of the project’s bidding phase. Turner Construction was selected as the general contractor. BET remained involved throughout the project, providing Construction Observation Services from the initial investigative phase through final completion. This continuity allowed the team to address field conditions as they were uncovered and help ensure the restoration work remained consistent with the project’s design intent and preservation objectives. The completed restoration was recognized with a Boston Preservation Alliance Preservation Achievement Award, honoring the successful preservation and rehabilitation of this historic Boston building.