Home to the United States District Courts, Court of Appeals, Circuit Executive’s Office, Probation, Marshal’s Service and the US Attorney’s office, the Moakley Courthouse has 27 courtrooms, unique event space, art exhibits, exceptional views, and so much more!
Our Noteable History
Completed in 1998, and named to honor longtime Congressman, public servant, and life-long South Boston resident, the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse is located on a spectacular waterfront site on Fan Pier and was designed by Henry Cobb.
As the headquarters for the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the building houses two Courtrooms for the Court of Appeals and twenty-five Courtrooms for the District Courts.
Impeccable Design
The John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse was designed by renowned architect Henry Cobb, founding principal of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in New York City. Cobb’s noted works includes the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, John Hancock Tower in Boston, Massachusetts, Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and the headquarters for the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.
To make the courthouse a part of the growing community, the 10-story, L-shaped structure was located along the street front – Old Northern Avenue to the south and Courthouse Way to the east. Richly fenestrated red brick masonry walls envelope its main structure. In contrast to the masonry street wall, the waterside facade is a dramatic 88-foot-high by 394-foot-long concave glass wall supported by a tension steel frame. The glass wall embraces a 2.3 – acre public park with dramatic views of the harbor and downtown Boston.
Prime Seaport Location
Located in the Seaport District, the John J. Moakley Courthouse is one of the few original buildings left in a newly revamped community.
Surrounded by restaurants, hotels, and shopping, the courthouse is on Boston Harbor’s Harbor Walk and boasts stunning views of the water and Boston skyline. The courthouse is easily accessible by car and all public transportation.
Closest T stops:
- Silver Line – Courthouse
- Red Line – South Station
- Blue Line – Aquarium
- Orange Line – State Street
Educational Programs
Led by Discovering Justice staff and volunteer docents, free in-person tours welcome the public into the Moakley Courthouse and provide a unique look at the structure and history of this award-winning landmark, central to the judicial landscape of Boston.
