Where Boston’s History Checks In: The Langham

In the heart of Boston’s Financial District, The Langham stands as a living narrative of the city’s evolution. Once home to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Renaissance Revival–style building, completed in 1922, has been meticulously transformed into one of the city’s most elegant destinations. Named a Federal Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 1980, the building remains a symbol of Boston’s enduring relationship with finance, culture, and design.

A Grand Entrance: The Lobby

Stepping into The Langham’s lobby feels like entering the opulent banking halls of the Roaring Twenties — only reimagined with the polish of contemporary design. Every element pays homage to its storied past: from the double-sided Chesterfield sofa and ornate rugs to the bespoke banker’s lamps glowing in soft, currency-green tones. Hand-tufted rugs echo the intricate patterns found on the back of a one-dollar bill, the wall behind the concierge desk evokes rows of post office boxes — a subtle nod to the order and precision of financial life.

The building’s distinctive narrow windows, originally designed for bank protection, now illuminate a space that celebrates a timeless design. A striking artisan liquid-metal map of Boston anchors the lobby, its colored resin waterways charting the flow of the city itself. Nearby, an abstract portrait of celebrated Bostonian John Singleton Copley by artist Samuel Gareginyan connects the hotel’s artistic spirit to its local roots.

A Curated Homage: The Langham’s Art Collection

Art is the soul of The Langham, Boston. Curated by Richmond International, the hotel’s extensive collection — 290 pieces in total, with 60 commissioned works — celebrates Boston’s culture, craftsmanship, and history. More than 140 works have a local connection, many sourced from The Copley Society, the oldest nonprofit arts organization in the United States. Each piece tells a story of transformation — from commerce to creativity, from heritage to hospitality.

GRANA: Where History Is Served

Where tellers once counted currency, guests now share the currency of an amazing meal. GRANA, the hotel’s signature restaurant, occupies the former Grand Hall of the Federal Reserve Bank — its soaring ceilings and marble grandeur now home to convivial brunches and Italian-inspired fare.

Even the restaurant’s name, GRANA, nods to the past: in Italian, it means both “grain” and “money.” Above the entrance, a dramatic seven-foot wire sculpture by Lyle London — inspired by the Liberty coin carved into the original bank doors — signals the building’s dual legacy of value and vision.

On the walls, eight portraits by Debra Kierce immortalize the bank’s former presidents, rendered in the stately style of colonial New England portraiture but infused with clever modern twists. (Roy Young, the bank’s fourth president, is painted with a clock set to 4 p.m.) The effect is both reverent and playful — the perfect embodiment of The Langham’s design philosophy.

The Fed: A Toast to Global Indulgence

If GRANA is where the day begins, The Fed is where Boston unwinds. Designed as a tribute to the private gentlemen’s clubs of the 1920s, this intimate cocktail pub merges old-world charm with modern mixology — a reflection of The Langham’s London heritage, refined through a distinctly New England lens.

The space itself is a gallery — 97 works from members of The Copley Society adorn the walls, forming a rich visual tapestry of still lifes, portraits, and landscapes. But the true artistry unfolds behind the bar, where The Fed’s new “Treasury Collection” cocktail menu takes guests on a global journey inspired by the building’s monetary roots.

Each creation celebrates a different currency and culture, blending flavors and spirits that transport the palate far beyond Post Office Square. The Italian Lira pairs Hendrick’s Gin with Basil Eau de Vie, tonic reduction, and Strega for a verdant Mediterranean balance. The Brazilian Real evokes Rio’s rhythm with cachaça, oat milk orgeat, spiced pear, and açaí grenadine. The Japanese Yen layers Suntory Toki Whisky with sakura honey, lemon, and sparkling sake for a delicate floral harmony, while the Spanish Peseta brightens with blood orange–infused Patrón Tequila and piparra cordial.

For the adventurous, the Mexican Lana offers Ilegal Reposado Mezcal with ancho chile, carrot, bell pepper, and a ginger-coconut foam — a bold interpretation of spice and smoke. And the American Greenback, a nod to the nation’s own currency, features Angel’s Envy Bourbon, galangal ginger beer, lemon, and hops — an inventive fusion of tradition and innovation.

In keeping with The Langham’s inclusive ethos, The Fed also honors the growing zero-proof movement, offering refined, non-alcoholic alternatives that deliver complexity without compromise. Like the building’s history, these drinks are layered, thoughtful, and globally inspired.

The Wyeth and Governors Rooms: Preserving Legacy

Two of the hotel’s most storied spaces, the Wyeth Room and Governors Room, maintain the Federal Reserve’s architectural grandeur.

The Wyeth Room, originally the president’s office, holds two historic N.C. Wyeth murals commissioned in the early 1900s — one depicting Salmon P. Chase with Abraham Lincoln, the other featuring Alexander Hamilton alongside George Washington and Robert Morris. These masterpieces, framed by gold coffered ceilings and arching windows over Post Office Square, remind guests that this building once shaped America’s financial story.

In the Governors Room, details whisper of the past — from the restored marble fireplace mantle to terrazzo floors unearthed during the renovation. The carpet recalls the pinstripe suits of 1920s bankers, and vintage photographs showcase the original banking hall that is now GRANA — a full-circle homage to the building’s legacy.

Guestrooms and the Chairman Suite

Because The Langham, Boston is a protected landmark, its top floors retain their original slanted windows — a distinctive architectural quirk invisible from street level but deeply charming inside. Guestrooms are inspired by travel and Boston’s colonial heritage, featuring prints of historic Red Sox moments, maritime scenes, and vintage stock certificates. Details like the Cellaret — designed as a vintage traveler’s trunk — and upholstery reminiscent of 1920s men’s suiting bring quiet sophistication to every corner.

The Chairman Suite extends this narrative of worldly refinement, featuring Persian rugs, a banker’s rolltop desk, and Olga Skorokhod’s mesmerizing 20-piece paper sculpture installation that animates the dining room wall. Barbara Swan’s portrait of poet Anne Sexton — one of Massachusetts’ literary legends — anchors the suite with grace and intellect.

The Langham Club: A Traveler’s Retreat

Overlooking Post Office Square, The Langham Club exemplifies the hotel’s commitment to thoughtful hospitality — where every guest is genuinely cared for. With wine on tap, all-day dining, and curated snacks, it transforms the stay from simple accommodation into an experience of refined comfort. Every Langham Club in the world features a writer’s corner, honoring literary icons such as Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who once frequented The Langham, London.

The Boston Club houses a vibrant collection of art and sculpture — from Erin Armstrong’s contemporary portraits to Anke Schofield’s Boston-inspired mixed media, and Masha Keryan’s triptych reflecting urban life. Xan Padron’s Time Lapse: Boston and David Poppie’s colored-pencil sculpture painting add layers of color and creativity to the space — mirroring the energy of the city beyond the windows.

A Timeless Icon Reimagined

Today, The Langham, Boston stands as both guardian and innovator — preserving the craftsmanship of the past while redefining what modern luxury can be. Within its marble walls, Boston’s financial legacy has been reborn as a celebration of global artistry, culinary discovery, and timeless style.

It’s more than a stay, it’s a moment with Boston’s legacy. One that began with the Federal Reserve and continues, a century later, with The Langham’s signature elegance and enduring sense of place.