John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse

The John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse is the federal courthouse on Fan Pier in Boston’s Seaport District and the headquarters of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Beyond its role as a working court, it welcomes the public with art and cultural exhibitions, educational tours, public gardens and event spaces. Justice Stephen Breyer called its site the most beautiful in Boston.

Completed in 1998, the building honors longtime Congressman Joe Moakley, a lifelong South Boston resident. Architect Henry Cobb, founding principal of Pei Cobb Freed and Partners, designed the 10-story, L-shaped structure with red brick street walls and a dramatic concave glass wall, 88 feet high and 394 feet long, facing the water. That glass wall embraces a 2.3-acre public park on the HarborWalk with views of the harbor and downtown skyline.

What to Know

• The building holds 27 courtrooms, two for the Court of Appeals and 25 for the District Court.
• Free in-person tours are led by Discovering Justice staff and volunteer docents.
• A 240-foot floating dock is available for scheduled public use from May through October.
• Event and rental space is available to outside groups by inquiry.
• The courthouse is reachable by car and by public transportation.