Things to do nearJohn Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse

Completed in 1998 and designed by architect Henry Cobb of the firm Pei Cobb Freed and Partners, the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse was conceived as both a working federal court and a civic landmark open to the public. The building was named in honor of Congressman John Joseph Moakley, a South Boston native who championed the development of the Seaport District and worked to ensure the courthouse would remain connected to the surrounding community.

The courthouse sits on Fan Pier along the South Boston Waterfront, and its design makes the most of that position. A sweeping curved wall of glass faces the harbor, flooding the interior atrium with natural light and framing views that shift with the seasons. The public spaces on the ground floor have long served as an informal gallery, displaying works by New England artists and rotating exhibitions that give visitors a reason to return.

Outside, the landscaped plaza and direct access to the Harborwalk make the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse a natural stop on any waterfront walk through the Seaport District. The surrounding neighborhood has grown considerably since the building opened, with museums, restaurants, and cultural venues filling in around it, but the courthouse retains a calm, considered presence amid the activity.

For anyone interested in civic architecture, public art, or simply one of the best vantage points on Boston Harbor, this building offers a rewarding and unhurried experience that reflects the best of the city's waterfront revival.