Last week, on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, lithe, athletic figures could be seen on the ends of long lanyards over the South Boston Waterfront. They pirouetted, swung outward in widening loops, and generally capered to and fro over their reflections on the black glass façade of developer Joseph Fallon’s 100 Northern Avenue building. It was the world renowned vertical dance troupe, “BANDALOOP”, who were preparing for the building’s Grand Opening on Thursday, June 9.
It was 48 hours before the formal Grand Opening of 100 Northern Avenue on Thursday, June 9, at 5 p.m. Figures scurried back and forth, erecting a reception tent, placing chairs for the invited guests, and discussing last-minute touches to the 100 Northern Avenue interior. Fallon’s latest building is sited on a northwesterly corner, in the right angle formed by the intersection of Northern Avenue and newly laid Pier Four Boulevard – one block to the harbor side of Seaport Boulevard.
The 100 Northern Avenue building is an arresting structure, with a hugely imposing entrance. It is a 17-story, black glass monolith that vividly reflects the clouds, while stamping itself as a home to professional pursuits. This building marks one end of Joe Fallon’s entire development – the view down Northern Avenue and ending at Fan Pier is indeed striking. There are now five Fallon buildings on the 20-acre property he has been developing. Taken together, they constitute the “first-out-of-the-gate” urban neighborhood to become a permanent feature of the South Boston Seaport District.
Their key tenant, now that 100 Northern Avenue has officially opened, is Goodwin Procter LLP, a 900-lawyer firm practicing in some 50 legal areas. Boston is the location of Goodwin Procter’s original office; they now have 10 offices that include three global locations – Hong Kong, Frankfurt, and London. Before 100 Northern Avenue, their Boston office had been located in Exchange Place.
The most eye-catching event at the Grand Opening of 100 Northern Avenue was the vertical dance troupe called “BANDALOOP”. BANDALOOP danced their graceful and fascinating routines on the black glass facade on the Building’s west side. Describing this sight only with words is difficult; the media advisories about BANDALOOP call their art “pioneering”. Well, it certainly is. And the reflections of the dancers on the 100 Northern Avenue facade doubled the effect of their vertical moves.
An aerial pas de deux performed by BANDALOOP’s vertical dancersd makes reflections that resemble huge, graceful birds.
A look westward from the 100 Northern Avenue site gives some idea of the extent of Joe Fallon’s overall development, which now extends from Fan Pier to Pier Four.
