Downtown Boston

Aerial view of Downtown Boston, 2006

Downtown Boston is the central business district of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The city of Boston was founded in 1628. The largest of the city's commercial districts, Downtown is the location of many corporate or regional headquarters; city, county, state and federal government facilities; and many of Boston's tourist attractions. Similar to other central business districts in the U.S., Downtown has recently undergone a transformation that included the construction of new condos and lofts, renovation of historic buildings, and arrival of new residents and businesses. It is represented in the Boston City Council by District 2's Bill Linehan.^[1]

Downtown is bound by the Back Bay, North End, Beacon Hill, and the South End areas. It includes Government Center and the Financial District.^[2]

The area that is now Downtown Boston constituted much of the town/city proper prior to the city's dramatic expansion in the 1860s and 1870s. The Great Boston Fire of 1872 destroyed much of the neighborhood, especially between Summer, Washington, and Milk Streets. In the 1950s the Central Artery highway began operating, until the Big Dig (1982-2007) relocated it underground. In the 1960s and 1970s the enormous new Government Center complex replaced Scollay Square.

Landmarks in Downtown Boston include the Greenway, Customhouse, City Hall, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Old South Meeting House, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Boston Common, and Boston Public Garden.^[2] Some popular attractions to visit while in Downtown Boston include Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Fenway Park, Boston Public Library, Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston Ballet, Museum of Science, and Little Brewster Island.

MBTA stops in the downtown area include Downtown Crossing, Park Street, and South Station.

See also

• Financial District, Boston
• List of tallest buildings in Boston (many downtown)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Downtown Boston.

• Boston Redevelopment Authority. Downtown.

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