Boston is a city steeped in American history, and there's plenty that has taken place within the walls of the Empire Collection on Tremont. Built in 1925 by James McLaughlin, who also designed Fenway Park, it opened as the Theatre District headquarters of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, with New England's largest ballroom. In 1930 it reopened as the Bradford Hotel, a place for socialites to be seen, with jazz performances by the crème de la crème Miles Davis and Duke Ellington in the hotel's popular Cascades nightclub. In the 1940s and '50s, John F. Kennedy would appear as a guest speaker. He would return in 1953, where his marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier was celebrated with an elegant reception.

Over time, the hotel has housed a speakeasy, a mini-golf course and a local radio station WBZ. That same inventiveness and versatility is reflected in the elaborate theming that the events team can bring to life in the stunningly reinvented spaces. Featuring high-speed Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art sound, lighting and technology, the Empire Collection on Tremont is ready to host a new era of social occasions, landmark meetings and receptions, right in the heart of the Theatre District.

Learn more about our hotel's storied past.

Meetings Venues at the Empire Collection

At Courtyard Boston Downtown, our classic event space is adorned with original marble columns and distinct ceiling detail. Whether you're hosting an important work meeting or an elegant event, our incredible all-inclusive packages and customizable menus make it easy. From an on-site audiovisual team to a professional events team, we're here to help make your day both memorable and unique.