A. Murphy, Inc. recently completed a multi-phase project with John Hancock. The first phase, which took place in the fall of 2023 in partnership with Commodore Builders, involved the installation of the iconic John Hancock signature sign that once sat on top of Fenway. The sign was reconditioned and lifted to its new home, appropriately on the roof of John Hancock’s 200 Berkeley Street Boston headquarters. The sign is 60 feet long and 20 feet high, necessitating a carefully orchestrated, multi-day installation effort. New lighting, lighting controls and wiring were installed to illuminate this prominent and historical logo, making it a striking addition to the Boston skyline.

More recently, this fall, A. Murphy and JLL updated John Hancock’s legendary weather beacon. These projects were completed in November 2024.

The sign is 60 feet long and 20 feet high. New lighting, lighting controls and wiring were installed to illuminate this prominent and historic logo at its Landmark Headquarters, The Berkeley Building (also known as the Old John Hancock Building), a 26-story, 495-foot tower built in 1947.

In 1950, John Hancock installed the 65-foot light tower on the peak of the building’s pyramid roof. Originally, approximately 288 handmade neon red and blue lights illuminated different colors to indicate the weather. The 75-year-old beacon tower has been modernized with all new LED lighting and lighting controls.

The beacon uses a color-coded light display to indicate the local weather forecast. The bright red and blue lights can be seen for miles away. As the famous rhyme says:

• • Steady blue, clear view
• • Flashing blue, clouds due
• • Steady red, rain ahead
• • Flashing red, snow instead

The Berkeley Building (also known as the Old John Hancock Building) is a 26-story, 495-foot tower built in 1947 that sits in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.