Boston's Seaport District:

Neighborhood Information

Only twenty years ago, the Seaport District was a largely vacant area with a peppering of industrial buildings. It’s name, the “Seaport District,” may not even have existed then. It was considered a part of South Boston, bordered by Boston Harbor and the financial district. It comprised large parking lots, a dock and adjacent area with many building used for the commercial fishing industry, a huge former warehouse turned into office space, a just completed outdoor music venue and a handful of restaurants.


But that was then. It’s change has been nothing short of radical. Had it not been part of Boston, it would be called the fastest growing municipality in America. Fueled in large part by Boston’s huge commitment to build-up the area, mostly starting in 2004 with the opening of the enormous Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the Seaport District has and is continuing to grow rapidly. Three large hotels sprung up out of nowhere to cater mostly to convention visitors, with at least two more to come. With the city’s effort to establish also the Seaport District as a Mecca of technology and innovation companies, office towers have been built, with more soon to come. And these folks need housing, so large apartment buildings were completed near the offices, many of which are designed for single professional technology workers. A change in Boston’s zoning regulations permitted some of the apartments to be smaller than previously permitted. Moreover, with the neighborhood being on the water, a host of restaurants and bars sprang up with outstanding ocean views.


On the downside, a large grocery store is nowhere to be seen. Although the neighborhood does feature public transportation, it is limited. The walk to downtown is perhaps fifteen minutes.