The clue was: The politician who recently announced he would cede control of the above complex after 20 years once wanted to erect this government building at Drydock 4 on the South Boston waterfront.
The answer is: What is City Hall? Yes, the above complex is, of course, Boston's current City Hall and the politician is Mayor Tom Menino, who (twice) proposed selling the complex (which might have been demolished) and building a new City Hall on Drydock 4 on the Southie waterfront. Economic and political forces combined to thwart Hizzoner's plans and America's ugliest municipal hub remains endearingly intact.
· How 'What the Hell Is That?' Changed Boston Development [Curbed Boston]
· Our Games archive [Curbed Boston]